Polyamide 6 modified polypropylene with remarkably enhanced mechanical performance, thermal properties, and foaming ability via pressure-induced-flow processing approach

Pressure-induced-flow (PIF) processing has been considered as an efficient approach to prepare high-performance polymer materials. In this study, the effects of PIF processing on various properties of PP/PA6 blend, including the microstructure, thermal, and mechanical properties, as well as foaming behavior, were investigated. The results showed that PIF processing had a significant effect on the microstructure of PP/PA6 blend. Meanwhile, the thermal stability of PP/PA6 blend was greatly improved. Compared to its counterparts without PIF processing, the mechanical strength of PIF PP/PA6 blend was remarkably enhanced, which was even higher than that of PIF PP (Polypropylene). PIF processing could both strengthen and toughen PP/PA6 blend. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results also indicated that PIF PP/PA blend had higher strength under dynamic mechanical conditions. Furthermore, the PP/PA6 foams with and without PIF processing were fabricated using a batch foaming method. With PIF processing, the resultant PP/PA6 blend displayed a significantly enhanced foaming ability with higher cell density and larger expansion ratio.