Effect of morphology development on the crystallization behavior, dynamic mechanical properties, and toughness of the PA‐6/plasticized PVB/organoclay nanocomposites

PA‐6/PVB blends and related nanocomposites with organoclay were prepared via melt‐processing and structure‐property relationships were comprehensively investigated. The SEM observations showed that blend composition and organoclay content play significant roles in the development of morphology. The differential scanning calorimetry results revealed occurrence of fractionated crystallization in the blends due to development of co‐continuous morphology. In contrast, the degree of fractionated crystallization decreased in the nanocomposites owing to role of the nanoclay as heterogeneous nucleating agent. It was found that there is an interesting relationship between morphology development and dynamic mechanical properties of the blends. Furthermore, the effects of the morphology development and nanoclay on the viscoelastic behavior of the nanocomposites were synergistic and/or counteracting depending on the Cloisite 30B content. The PA‐6/PVB blends with co‐continuous morphology showed outstanding toughness. In addition, the PA‐6/PVB50 blend with low nanoclay concentration exhibited high impact strength, which was originated from low interparticle distance between PVB domains in the matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E242–E254, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers