Transparent thermoplastic composite from a refractive index-adjustable polymer blend

Transparent glass fiber composites were prepared with a refractive-index-adjustable thermoplastic blend. The opacity of a polymer blend is affected by the phase separation and crystallization properties. Polyamide 6 (PA6)/poly (m-xylene adipamide) (MXD6) blends are intrinsically miscible and transparent in the molten state; further, crystallization is suppressed by polymer chain disordering induced by in-situ transamidation. Thus, the transparency of the molten state was maintained after a sufficient period of melt-mixing. The refractive index was adjusted to that of the glass fiber reinforcement by altering the PA6/MXD6 blend ratio. Injection-molded glass fiber composites of PA6/MXD6 had good transparency and mechanical properties. [Display omitted] •Injection moldable transparent thermoplastic composites are developed.•Miscible polyamide blends are utilized as refractive index adjustable matrix.•Crystallization of polyamide blends is eliminated by in situ transamination.•Refractive index matching is achieved by adjusting weight fraction of polyamides.•The transparency and mechanical properties are better than those of PC composites.