Tailoring polyamide 6 to exhibit super-tough behavior and high thermomechanical stability: The role of AES and EPDM-MA hybridization

High-performance blends based on polyamide 6 (PA6) were prepared using a hybrid mixture of acrylonitrile/EPDM/styrene (AES) and maleic anhydride grafted ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM-MA). Samples were processed in a twin-screw extruder and injection molded. The torque curves of the PA6/AES/EPDM-MA blends shifted to higher torque values with added EPDM-MA, suggesting a chemical interaction between the components. The melt flow index (MFI) results for the PA6/AES/EPDM-MA blends confirmed the intensification of the flow resistance. Intense infrared absorption peaks for N-H and C=O indicated that the amine groups of PA6 reacted with the maleic anhydride in EPDMMA. The 60/25/15 wt% PA6/AES/EPDM-MA blend showed an impact strength over 800 J/m, heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 62.3 degrees C, elongation at break of 115%, and contact angle of 59.1 degrees, corresponding to increases of 1718%, 10.5%, 297%, and 10%, respectively, compared to neat PA6. When examined by scanning electron microscopy, the morphology showed a fracture surface with a high degree of plastic deformation and the formation of elastic microfibrils, contributing to the super toughening of the PA6/AES/EPDM-MA (15%) system. These results indicate the technological potential of the PA6/AES/EPDM-MA (15 wt%) blends for application in industrial sectors that require super-tough plastics.