Experimental studies on mechanical properties and toughening mechanisms of PA6/zeolite nanocomposites

In recent years, polymer/inorganic nanocomposite have attracted the attention of researchers because of the many superior properties. Incorporation of nano-zeolite as a spherical nano-particle, into the PA6 matrix, can improve the stiffness-toughness properties simultaneously. PA6/zeolite nanocomposites standard mechanical testing specimens, containing different fractions (2.5, 5 and 7.5 wt.%) of nanosized zeolite particles were produced by utilizing a twin screw extruder and injection molding. The mechanical properties were characterized and the morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM micrograph showed that nano-zeolite were uniformly distributed in the PA6 matrix. The incorporation of nano-zeolite into PA6, increased the tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus and impact strength. Moreover, nano-zeolite stiffen and toughen PA6 simultaneously, and optimal properties were achieved at 5 wt.% of PA6/zeolite in flexural strength and impact strength. A number of strengthening mechanisms including crack pinning and crack deflection were detected for nanocomposite gear samples.