Experimental studies on the physical and mechanical properties of modified silica/graphene reinforced polyamide6/copolyester elastomer blend nanocomposites

Abstract Compatibility of epoxy extrusion and injection molding was used to create a series of polyamide6 (PA6)/ copolyester elastomer (CoPe)/nano‐silica (nS) and graphene nanoplatelets (nG) composites. The impact of surface‐modified nanofillers and loading on the composites' physical and mechanical properties were investigated. As a consequence, PA6/CoPe blend with silane‐treated nS and nG composites had a slight drop in elongation but a significant gain in strength and modulus than PA6/CoPe blend. The interlaminar shear strength of the nG‐filled PA6/CoPe blend was increased by up to 33.5%, a maximum of 37.55 MPa, with a 1.5 wt% nG loading. With the 1.5 wt% nG loading on the blend surface, the ep resin compatibilizer assisted in interfacial bonding between the matrix and nanoparticles. The impact strength of the PA6/CoPe blend was found to be greater due to the existence of a tougher PA6 matrix, which was subsequently increased by the addition of nS filler reinforcement in the PA6/CoPe/nS composite. The addition of 1.5 wt% of nG in PA6/CoPe blend improved the tensile strength and elastic modulus by 15.8% and 15.1% compared to PA6/CoPe blend, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic studies revealed that the composite had a continuous PA6 phase and a dispersed CoPe phase. The nS and nG particles were embedded in the PA6/CoPe blend exclusively at 1.5 wt% loading. Microstructure analysis reveals a strong contact between the silane‐treated nS and nG and the polar PA molecules, and it may be responsible for the increased mechanical properties. Highlights 1.5 wt% nanoplatelets (nG) boosted tensile strength by 15.8% in polyamide6/copolyester elastomer blend. nG addition increased elastic modulus by 15.1% in the composite. Nano‐silica reinforcement enhanced impact strength with tough polyamide6 matrix. Silane‐treated nano‐silica and nG improved mechanical properties via strong bonds. Slight reduction in elongation observed with nanofiller addition.