The influence of interphase on nylon-6/nano-SiO2 composite materials obtained from in situ polymerization

Three commercially available silane, titanate and aluminate based coupling agents were used to pretreat nano-SiO2 for the preparation of nylon-6/nano-SiO2 composites via in situ polymerization. The interphases formed in different composite systems and their influence on material properties were investigated. Results indicated that the interfacial interactions differed between composite systems, whereas rigidity and toughness of composites were all improved by addition of pretreated silicas at an optimal content of 4.3 wt%. The presence of pretreated silicas did not have a distinct influence in the non-isothermal crystallization behaviour of the nylon matrix. The composites containing pretreated silicas had slightly higher dynamic viscosities and superior storage moduli at high frequency, compared with neat nylon-6. (C) 2003 Society of Chemical Industry.