Abstract
The polymer alloys of polyketone (PK) and polyamide 6 (PA) show higher impact properties than polycarbonate. In order to investigate nano-meter order structure, we carried out TEM observations and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) measurements to elucidate the structure of PK/PA polymer alloy. Results revealed that this polymer alloy contains several nano-meter-order phase separation structures which are closely related to the improvement in the mechanical properties. It was found that the PK rich phase and the PA rich phase form a co-continuous structure. A three-dimensional lamella network structure of PK phase reinforces the alloy and prevents the progress of cracks. The amorphous region of PA mainly absorbs moisture and is the origin of flexibility. The origin of high impact property of the alloy was the complex effect of the co-continuous structure and the flexibility of the PA which absorbed moisture.
