Effects of incorporating titanate nanotubes on the mechanical properties of polyamide 11

Polyamide 11 (PA 11) is an important engineering polymer, and it has low density, as well as good thermal and chemical resistance. Although polymers have wide usability, they still encounter barriers due to their low elastic modulus and low mechanical strength. Nanoparticles addition may promote an outstand increase of performance with a low content of reinforcement. The development of nanocomposites is relatively new, and although nanocomposite applicability potential is recognized, designing of properties is still restricted. The present work aims to evaluate the effects of inserting titanate nanotubes (TTNT), as reinforcements, into PA 11. Nanoindentation tests were conducted and TTNT loading, functionalization, and sodium content contribution were evaluated. Increments in hardness and stiffness were obtained with the addition of TTNT, however no pattern of behavior was found. The randomness of the results was discussed and the non-controllable factors inherent to nanocomposite microstructures and morphologies were highlighted. •Depending on functionalization and sodium content, the addition of TTNT shows different effects.•The addition of TTNT improves hardness, elastic modulus and stiffness of PA11.•Hardness and elastic modulus increments are followed by ductility and toughness decreases.•TTNT dispersion problems may promote significant variations in nanoindentation results.•The correlation between the addition of TTNT and creep resistant seems to be weak.