Effects of organo‐montmorillonite on the mechanical and morphological properties of epoxy/glass fiber composites

Abstract

Epoxy composites filled with glass fiber and organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) were prepared by the hand lay-up method. The flexural properties of the epoxy/glass fiber/OMMT composites were characterized by a three-point bending test. The flexural modulus and strength of epoxy/glass fiber were increased significantly in the presence of OMMT. The optimum loading of OMMT in the epoxy/glass fiber composites was attained at 3 wt%, where the improvement in flexural modulus and strength was approximately 66 and 95%, respectively. The fractured surface morphology of the epoxy/glass fiber/OMMT composites was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy. It was found that OMMT adheres on the epoxy/glass fiber interface, and this is also supported by evidence from energy dispersive X-ray analysis.

Water absorption of epoxy/glass fiber/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites

“…However, the epoxy resin absorbs high degree of moisture which in turn degrades the functional, structural and mechanical properties of the composites [11]. In our previous studies, it was found that the optimum loading of OMMT in epoxy/glass fiber nanocomposites is attained at 3 wt% [12]. The combination of glass fiber and organo-montmorillonite could give a synergistic effect on the improvement of mechanical properties for epoxy through hand-lay up technique.…”

The role of maleic anhydride functionalized graphene oxide in improving the interfacial properties of carbon fibre/bismaleimide composites

“…It is noted that not only modifying the fibre surface but also adding various fillers into the matrix can dramatically enhance the interfacial properties of fibre reinforced composites, in particular the addition of inorganic nanoparticles . For example, since polarity and structure are similar between phyllosilicate sheet and the surface of glass fibre, the interfacial bonding between glass fibre and resin was greatly improved by the addition of phyllosilicate sheet …”

“…5,6 For example, since polarity and structure are similar between phyllosilicate sheet and the surface of glass fibre, the interfacial bonding between glass fibre and resin was greatly improved by the addition of phyllosilicate sheet. 7,8 Graphene is a two-dimensional material consisting of sp 2 -hybridized carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb structure and possesses high specific surface area, excellent mechanical properties and high electrical and thermal conductivity. 9 All these remarkable properties make graphene an ideal filler for modifying fibre reinforced polymer composites.…”

Polyamide 6 composites reinforced with glass fibers modified with electrostatically assembled multiwall carbon nanotubes

“…Numerous researchers have described GFRPs with different matrices, for instance, epoxy [1], PA [2,3], PBT [4], etc. The amount of GFs is a crucial factor in GFRPs.…”