Improvement of performance of a ductile/brittle polymer system by graphite nanoplatelets: effect of component coupling

Abstract

Addition of a high-modulus polymer to a pseudo-ductile matrix may lead to increased strength, stiffness and toughness. This can be achieved by plastic deformation of a well-dispersed phase with higher modulus and lower Poisson's ratio compared with the matrix. Recently, this system has also been successfully modified by organophilized montmorillonite. In this work, a reactively compatibilized PA6/PS system is upgraded using modified graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) in combination with their simultaneous coupling to polymer components. The best balanced mechanical properties have been obtained in the case of the combination of amine-modified GNP with a styrene maleic-anhydride copolymer. Here, coupling of both polymer phases with GNP could take place. Structure of the in situ formed adduct can be controlled by component ratio and mixing protocols. The complex effect of such modified GNP on the system behaviour, including favourable change of components parameters and modification of the interface, is discussed.