Polyamide 66/Brazilian Clay Nanocomposites

Polyamide 66 (PA66)/Brazilian clay nanocomposites were produced via direct melt intercalation. A montmorillonite sample from the Brazilian state of Paraíba was organically modified with esthearildimethylammonium chloride (Praepagen), quaternary ammonium salt and has been tested to be used in polymer nanocomposites. The dispersion analysis and the interlayer spacing of the clay particles in matrix were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermal behavior of the obtained systems was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), and heat deflection temperature (HDT) was reported too. The nanocomposites exhibited a partially exfoliated structure, very interesting HDT values which are higher than those of pure PA66, and good thermal stability.