Carbon Filled Nylon 6,6 Composites Prepared by Simple Melt Compounding

This study reports the synthesis and characterization of nylon 6,6 composites reinforced with singe-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) and vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCF). High shear twin-screw extrusion was used to compound the formulations. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed uniform dispersion of fillers in the polymer matrix. Strength and conductive properties were significantly improved over the pristine polymer. A 2-fold increase in thermal conductivity and 12 orders of magnitude decrease in electrical resistivity were obtained at the highest loading of the fillers.