Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fe-Ni alloy/polyamide 6 nanocomposites: effect of nanocrystalline metal particles on the mechanical and physical properties of the polymer

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Polymer Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The focus of this study is to explore the potential use of Fe40Ni60/Polyamide 6 (PA6) nanocomposites in engineering applications by providing understanding of how the nanocrystalline (nc) metallic particles are altering physical properties of the polymer and the corresponding reinforcing mechanisms. This is the first study using nc Fe-Ni alloy, which has unique various properties, as a filler for polymers. nc Fe40Ni60 particles were chemically synthesized. The composites with various nanofiller loadings were made by compounding the materials, either by melt mixing (MM) or via solution mixing (SM), and injection molding. The results show that SM composites have remarkable mechanical and thermomechanical properties, but MM ones exhibit deteriorated properties. In addition, morphological and crystalline structure analyses indicate that there is good interfacial interaction between nanofiller and polymer only in SM composites. This is because the ferromagnetism of Fe-Ni alloy could be only overcome by intensive compounding. It is concluded that there are four competing factors determining the overall performance of SM composites: i) degree of agglomeration and particle distribution within PA6 matrix and physical structural changes that occurred in PA6 due to presence of alloy particles including ii) crystallinity; iii) ratio of γ-form to α-form crystals; and iv) Glass transition temperature (Tg) of PA6. Overall, compared to other conventional nanoreinforcements for PA6, nc Fe-Ni alloy shows great promise and can lead to a new class of metal-polymer nanocomposites.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Mai Y-W, Yu Z-Z (2006) Polymer nanocomposites. Woodhead Publishing Limited, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  2. Song HM, Kim YJ, Park JH (2008) Three-dimensional hierarchically organized magnetic nanoparticle polymer composites: achievement of monodispersity and enhanced tensile strength. J Phys Chem C 112:5397–5404

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Liang Y, Xia X, Luo Y, Jia Z (2007) Synthesis and performances of Fe2O3/PA-6 nanocomposite fiber. Mater Lett 61:3269–3272

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Mallakpour S, Zeraatpisheh F (2012) Preparation and morphology distinguishing of novel ZnO ultrafine particle filled nanocomposites contain new poly(amide-imide) via ultrasonic process. J Polym Res 19:9927–9936

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Laachachi A, Cochez M, Ferriol M, Lopez Cuesta JM, Leroy E (2005) Influence of TiO2 and Fe2O3 fillers on the thermal properties of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Mater Lett 59:36–39

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Althues H, Henle J, Kaskel S (2007) Functional inorganic nanofillers for transparent polymers. Chem Soc Rev 36:1454–1465

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Balazs AC, Emrick T, Russell TP (2006) Nanoparticle polymer composites: where two small worlds meet. Science 314:1107–1110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Chu J-W, Shim I-W (1993) The chemistry of ruthenium in cellulose acetate: reactions with CO, H2, O2 and H2O. J Mol Catal 78:189–199

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Mathiyarasu J, Senthilkumar S, Phani KLN, Yegnaraman V (2008) PEDOT-Au nanocomposite film for electrochemical sensing. Mater Lett 62:571–573

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. François NJ, Allo S, Jacobo SE, Daraio ME (2007) Composites of polymeric gels and magnetic nanoparticles: preparation and drug release behavior. J Appl Polym Sci 105:647–655

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Carotenuto G, Martorana B, Perlo P, Nicolais L (2003) A universal method for the synthesis of metal and metal sulfide clusters embedded in polymer matrices. J Mater Chem 13:2927–2930

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Reboud V, Kehagias N, Striccoli M, Placido T, Panniello A, Curri ML, Zelsmann M, Reuther F, Gruetzner G, Torres CMS (2007) Photoluminescence enhancement in metallic nanocomposite printable polymer. J Vac Sci Technol B 25:2642–2644

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Mohamed MA, El-Maghraby AH, Abd El-Latif MM, Farag HA (2013) Optimum synthesis conditions of nanometric Fe50Ni50 alloy formed by chemical reduction in aqueous solution. B Mater Sci (in press).

  14. Yeh YM, Tu GC, Fang GC (2004) Nanomechanical properties of nanocrystalline Ni-Fe mold insert. J Alloys Compd 372:224–230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Hamzaoui R, Elkedim O, Gaffet E (2004) Milling conditions effect on structure and magnetic properties of mechanically alloyed Fe-10 % Ni and Fe-20 % Ni alloys. Mater Sci Eng, A 381:363–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Li J, Fang Z, Tong L, Gu A, Liu F (2006) Polymorphism of nylon-6 in multiwalled carbon nanotubes/nylon-6 composites. J Polym Sci Pol Phys 44:1499–1512

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Phang IY, Ma J, Shen L, Liu T, Zhang W-D (2006) Crystallization and melting behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotube-reinforced nylon-6 composites. Polym Int 55:71–79

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Shen L, Phang IY, Liu T (2006) Nanoindentation studies on polymorphism of nylon 6. Polym Test 25:249–253

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Nylon 6 (2012) Wikipedia. Nylon 6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nylon_6. Accessed 29 July 2012

  20. A guide to Nylon (2012) Polymer technology and services, LLC. http://ptsllc.com/intro/nylon_intro.aspx. Accessed 29 July 2012

  21. Ratna D, Divekar S, Samui AB, Chakraborty BC, Banthia AK (2006) Poly(ethylene oxide)/clay nanocomposite: thermomechanical properties and morphology. Polym 47:4068–4074

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Wu Q, Liu X, Berglund LA (2001) An unusual crystallization behavior in polyamide 6/montmorillonite nanocomposites. Macromol Rapid Commun 22:1438–1440

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Seltzer R, Frontini PM, Mai Y-W (2009) Effect of hygrothermal ageing on morphology and indentation modulus of injection moulded nylon 6/organoclay nanocomposites. Compos Sci Technol 69:1093–1100

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Wei X-W, Zhu G-X, Zhou J-H, Sun H-Q (2006) Solution phase reduction to Fe-Ni alloy nanostructures with tunable shape and size. Mater Chem Phys 100:481–485

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Cullity BD (1956) Elements of x-ray diffraction. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc

  26. Pielichowska K (2012) The influence of molecular weight on the properties of polyacetal/hydroxyapatite nanocomposites. Part 1. Microstructural analysis and phase transition studies. J Polym Res 19:9775–9790

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Chen B, Evans JRG (2009) Impact strength of polymer-clay nanocomposites. Soft Matter 5:3572–3584

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Baji A, Mai Y-W, Wong S-C, Abtahi M, Du X (2010) Mechanical behavior of self-assembled carbon nanotube reinforced nylon 6,6 fibers. Compos Sci Technol 70:1401–1409

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Hu X, Zhao X (2004) Effects of annealing (solid and melt) on the time evolution of polymorphic structure of PA6/silicate nanocomposites. Polym 45:3819–3825

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Xie S, Zhang S, Liu H, Chen G, Feng M, Qin H, Wang F, Yang M (2005) Effects of processing history and annealing on polymorphic structure of nylon6/montmorillonite nanocomposites. Polym 46:5417–5427

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Khanna YP (1992) Overview of transition phenomenon in nylon 6. Macromolecules 25:3298–3300

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Handge UA, Höchstötter KH, Altstädt V (2010) Composites of polyamide 6 and silicate nanotubes of the mineral halloysite: influence of molecular weight on thermal, mechanical and rheological properties. Polym 51:2690–2699

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Chow WS, Mohd Ishak ZA (2007) Mechanical, morphological and rheological properties of polyamide 6/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites. eXPRESS Polym Lett 1:77–83

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Wu T-M, Chen E-C (2002) Polymorphic behaviour of nylon 6/saponite and nylon 6/montmorillonite nanocomposites. Polym Eng Sci 42:1141–1150

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Shen Z, Bateman S, Wu DY, McMahon P, Olio MD, Gotama J (2009) The effects of carbon nanotubes on mechanical and thermal properties of woven glass fibre reinforced polyamide-6 nanocomposites. Compos Sci Technol 69:239–244

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Liu H, Wang X, Fang P, Wang S, Qi X, Pan C, Xie G, Liew KM (2010) Functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes grafted with self-generated functional groups and their polyamide 6 composites. Carbon 48:721–729

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Li Y, Yu J, Guo Z-X (2002) The influence of silane treatment on nylon 6/nano-SiO2 in situ polymerization. J Appl Polym Sci 84:827–834

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors deeply appreciate the financial support (Ph.D. scholarship 51218) by the Egyptian Ministry for High Education and Scientific Research. Special thanks to Custom Resins, Inc, USA for supplying PA6, and Prof. Satish Kumar, School of Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology, for facilitating DSC analysis. We wish to thank Anastasios Patsidis, Mehdi Karvan and Md Bhuiyan, Ph.D. students, School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia institute of Technology, from Georgia Institute of Technology, for their kind assistance throughout the experimental work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0405, USA

    Marwa Mohamed & Kyriaki Kalaitzidou

  2. Fabrication Technology Department, Institute of Advanced Technology and New Materials, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, New Borg El-Arab, Alexandria, 21934, Egypt

    Marwa Mohamed, Azza El-Maghraby & Mona Abd EL-Latif

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21544, Egypt

    Hassan Farag

Authors
  1. Marwa Mohamed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Azza El-Maghraby
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mona Abd EL-Latif
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hassan Farag
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kyriaki Kalaitzidou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marwa Mohamed.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mohamed, M., El-Maghraby, A., Abd EL-Latif, M. et al. Fe-Ni alloy/polyamide 6 nanocomposites: effect of nanocrystalline metal particles on the mechanical and physical properties of the polymer. J Polym Res 20, 137 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-013-0137-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-013-0137-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation