Influence of the injection molding process on the mechanical properties of (PA6/GF/MMT) nanocomposite

This work describes the first part of a series of studies on the effect of injection molding conditions on the mechanical properties of polyamide 6/glass fiber/montmorillonite (PA6/GF/MMT) composites, wherein the effect of the injection molding mass temperature on the mechanical properties of the composite is investigated. The results demonstrate that composites processed at lower mass temperatures exhibited higher tensile strength and flexural strength. These findings are explained by the fact that the use of different mass temperatures leads to PA6 matrices with different degrees of crystallinity. In addition, changes in the mass temperature affect the fiber–matrix adhesion of the composite and the intercalation between the matrix and the various components in the nanocomposite. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:237–244, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers