Structural effect of secondary antioxidants on mechanical properties and stabilization efficiency of polyamide 6/halloysite nanotube composites during heat ageing

Abstract

© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hindered phenol (Irganox 1010) was combined with two kinds of secondary antioxidants [i.e., tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite (Irgafos168) and tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite (TNPP)] to form antioxidant mixtures, and their influences on mechanical properties and thermo-oxidative degradation of polyamide 6 (PA6) and halloysite nanotube (HNT) filled composites were investigated. The results showed that the antioxidant combinations provided an improvement in the oxidative induction time, decomposition temperature (Td), processability, and tensile properties of PA6. Irganox/TNPP (1:1) was found to exhibit the best thermal oxidative resistance. The study of heat ageing in the air oven at 130 °C showed that the stabilized composites with 5 wt % of HNT could retain 92% of strength without loss of modulus. The physical characteristics of antioxidants such as low volatility and possible interaction with filler in the composites played a crucial role in stabilizing efficiency during heat ageing. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45360.