Impact of lithium chloride and in‐situ grafting on the performance of microcrystalline cellulose‐filled composites based on polyamide 6/high‐density polyethylene

Polyamide 6 (PA6) and high‐density polyethylene were blended with lithium chloride (LiCl) and maleic anhydride (MAH), and then mixed with 15 wt% microcrystalline cellulose to prepare the composites via hot‐pressing technology. Crystallization analysis exhibited a decreased melting point of PA6 via the modification of LiCl. The crystallographic forms of PA6 were transformed from semi‐crystalline to an amorphous state, thus decreased the processing temperature (from 240 to 200°C). Both LiCl and in‐situ grafting of MAH had positive effects on the mechanical properties, the impact strength of the composites were increased by 60 and 125%, respectively. Morphological analysis revealed both LiCl and the in‐situ grafting of MAH improved the interfacial compatibility. Dynamic mechanical properties showed LiCl increased the glass transition temperature of the composites (from 61 to 77°C), and improved the viscous response at the high temperature. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E865–E876, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers