Polyamide 6 modified polypropylene with remarkably enhanced mechanical performance, thermal properties, and foaming ability via pressure‐induced‐flow processing approach

Pressure‐induced‐flow (PIF) processing has been considered as an efficient approach to prepare high‐performance polymer materials. In this study, the effects of PIF processing on various properties of PP/PA6 blend, including the microstructure, thermal, and mechanical properties, as well as foaming behavior, were investigated. The results showed that PIF processing had a significant effect on the microstructure of PP/PA6 blend. Meanwhile, the thermal stability of PP/PA6 blend was greatly improved. Compared to its counterparts without PIF processing, the mechanical strength of PIF PP/PA6 blend was remarkably enhanced, which was even higher than that of PIF PP (Polypropylene). PIF processing could both strengthen and toughen PP/PA6 blend. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results also indicated that PIF PP/PA blend had higher strength under dynamic mechanical conditions. Furthermore, the PP/PA6 foams with and without PIF processing were fabricated using a batch foaming method. With PIF processing, the resultant PP/PA6 blend displayed a significantly enhanced foaming ability with higher cell density and larger expansion ratio.