Production of Nano Talc Material and Its Applicability as Filler in Polymeric Nanocomposites

In the present work, focus is on the production of nano-sized talc particles in a stirred ball mill and their nano talc particles incorporated in the polyamide-6 polymer matrix to form polyamide/talc nanocomposite. The results show that enhancement in the polyamide/talc nanocomposite strength properties such as flexural and tensile strength. The production of nano talc particles is difficult process in wet grinding system; however, the minimum achievable particle size is strongly influenced by the suspension stability. Hence, prior to the wet milling, it is imperative to conduct the ζ potential measurements on the talc sample in order to find out at which pH range a strong repulsive force between the given talc sample particles exists. The desired electrostatic repulsion force is maintained by the adjustment of pH 11 in wet milling. The experiments are conducted at pH 11 conditions which were maintained constant throughout the experiments and nanosized talc particles are obtained consequently.