Effect of expandable and expanded graphites on the thermo-mechanical properties of polyamide 11

The preparation and thermo-mechanical characterization of composites based on polyamide 11 (PA11) filled with various amounts of both expandable and expanded graphites are presented. Investigation conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and surface area analyses indicated how graphite expanded under the selected processing conditions. The XRD analysis on PA11/graphite composites revealed no change in the crystal form of the PA11, while the presence of diffraction peaks associated to the graphite-stacked lamellae can be still detected. All the investigated composites showed an improvement of the thermal stability and mechanical properties (elastic and storage moduli).