The polyamide-6 (PA6)/natural clay mineral nanocomposites were successfully prepared by solid-state shear milling method without any treatment of clay mineral and additives. PA6/clay mixture was pan-milled to produce PA6/clay compounding powder, using pan-mill equipment. The obtained powder as master batch was diluted with neat PA6 to prepare composites by a twin-screw extruder. The clay silicate layers were found to be partially exfoliated and dispersed homogeneously at nanometer level in PA6 matrix. The rheological measurements and mechanical properties of nanocomposites were characterized. The shear viscosities of nanocomposites were higher than that of pure PA6, and tensile strength and tensile modulus increased, but Izod impact strength decreased, with increasing concentration of clay. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.