Tailoring polyamide 6 to exhibit super‐tough behavior and high thermomechanical stability: The role of <scp>AES</scp> and <scp>EPDM‐MA</scp> hybridization
Pamela Thainara Vieira da Silva, Carlos Bruno Barreto Luna, Edson Antônio dos Santos Filho, Emanuel Pereira do Nascimento, Edcleide Maria Araújo
Abstract
Abstract High‐performance blends based on polyamide 6 (PA6) were prepared using a hybrid mixture of acrylonitrile/EPDM/styrene (AES) and maleic anhydride grafted ethylene–propylene–diene (EPDM‐MA). Samples were processed in a twin‐screw extruder and injection molded. The torque curves of the PA6/AES/EPDM‐MA blends shifted to higher torque values with added EPDM‐MA, suggesting a chemical interaction between the components. The melt flow index (MFI) results for the PA6/AES/EPDM‐MA blends confirmed the intensification of the flow resistance. Intense infrared absorption peaks for NH and CO indicated that the amine groups of PA6 reacted with the maleic anhydride in EPDM‐MA. The 60/25/15 wt% PA6/AES/EPDM‐MA blend showed an impact strength over 800 J/m, heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 62.3°C, elongation at break of 115%, and contact angle of 59.1°, corresponding to increases of 1718%, 10.5%, 297%, and 10%, respectively, compared to neat PA6. When examined by scanning electron microscopy, the morphology showed a fracture surface with a high degree of plastic deformation and the formation of elastic microfibrils, contributing to the super toughening of the PA6/AES/EPDM‐MA (15%) system. These results indicate the technological potential of the PA6/AES/EPDM‐MA (15 wt%) blends for application in industrial sectors that require super‐tough plastics.