Nonisothermal Crystallization Kinetics of Nylon 66/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

Abstract

Polyamide 66(PA66)/montmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared via direct melt compounding. The nonisothermal crystallization of PA66 and PA66/MMT nanocomposites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that MMT platelets play a competing role in the crystallization process of nylon 66. On the one hand, they can act as a nucleator for the PA66 matrix, accelerating the crystallization rate; on the other hand, they retard the crystal/spherulite growth, especially for nanocomposites with higher MMT content. The analysis results using Jeziorny and Mo equations verify the dual actions of the nucleation and the obstruction of crystallization of MMT in the PA66 matrix. Kissinger's method was used to obtain the activation energy of the crystallization process; the results confirm that the incorporation of MMT causes the above actions.