Hybrid Polyamide/Silica Nanocomposites: Synthesis and Mechanical Testing

A hybrid inorganic-polymer composite was formed through nanosize silica filler particles (<30 nm) that were incorporated inside a nylon-6 matrix. The composite was microtomed and examined with TEM which revealed that the silica particles were well dispersed and non-aggregated. Optimization of the synthesis conditions relied on appropriate choice of organic solvent and pH control. Crystallinity of the composite was examined with XRD and showed the silica phase remains amorphous while the polyamide phase was semi-crystalline. Compared to pure nylon-6, mechanical tests on the hybrid composite showed an increase in impact toughness, an increase in E-modulus as a function of filler percentage, and a strain-at-break of >0.5.