Interfacial interaction and peel adhesion between polyamide and acrylate rubber in thermoplastic elastomeric blends

The interfacial thickness, λ, and the adhesion strength of polyamide (nylon 6) and acrylate rubber (ACM) joints were measured by ellipsometry and a 180° peel adhesion test, respectively. Above 225°C, λ attained its equilibrium value very rapidly, which was ascribed to chemical interaction between nylon-6 and ACM in that temperature range. The possibility of reaction between the two polymers was confirmed by both infrared (IR) spectroscopy and solid-state 13C-NMR analysis and a probable mechanism of the reaction between nylon-6 and ACM was also proposed. The effects of the temperature of testing and the rate of separation on the adhesion strength of the joints were investigated. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis of the joints annealed at 200°C for different times showed broadening of the loss tangent peak corresponding to that of ACM rubber with the progress of the reaction. Also, the storage modulus of the joints increased progressively, supporting better adhesion between the two polymers with increasing annealing time.