Organic hectorite was synthesized using cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide(CTAB) as modifier and polyamide 6(PA6)/organic hectorite nanocomposites with high performance and low water absorption were prepared through melt blending method.The structures of modified and original hectorite were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD)

energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS)

scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicating that the structure of organic hectorite became looser

as well as its interlayer spacing was increased from original value of 1.33 nm to 1.76 nm

and the grafted amount determined by elemental analysis was in good agreement with that by TGA analysis.The grafted amount was 0.78 and 0.73 mequiv/g respectively and the grafted yield was 71.04% and 66.62% respectively.The effect of organic hectorite content on crystal properties

dispersion in the matrix and mechanical properties of composites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)

transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and mechanical property measurements

showing that hectorite did not play a role of nucleating agent in PA6 and with the increase of organic hectorite content

the degree of crystallinity of the composites were decreased.When the amount of organic hectorite was 5 phr

the dispersion of hectorite in the matrix exhibited mainly an exfoliated morphology and the tensile strength

bending strength of the PA6/organic hectorite composites reached the maximum values of 81.6 MPa and 122.1 MPa

respectively

which presented 25.54% and 23.50% improvement compared to those of the pure PA6.In addition

the organic hectorite significantly reduced water absorption rate of PA6.