Influence of nanoclay on mechanical and thermal properties of glass fiber reinforced polymer nanocomposites

Abstract

A novel approach was carried out to evaluate the effects of nanoclay in nanocomposite laminates based on mechanical properties, thermal analysis, and surface structure analysis. The composite panel was fabricated by reinforcing glass fiber with epoxy resin. Likewise, nanocomposite panels were fabricated by reinforcing glass fiber with nanoclay loaded epoxy. The loading of Cloisite 25A nanoclay in epoxy resin is varied as 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% on weight basis. Upon completion of curing, the composite panel and nanocomposite panels were fabricated by using compression molding. The tensile test exhibited that the addition of nanoclay in epoxy resin has improved the tensile strength and Young's modulus by 33.39% and 15.88%, respectively for 2 wt% clay loading laminates than unfilled laminate. Likewise, the greater flexural strength of 438.04 MPa and flexural modulus of 22.12 GPa were attained for 2 wt% nanoclay/epoxy nanocomposite. The thermal results disclosed that greater thermal stability was attained between temperatures ranges from 0°C to 180°C for low clay content. The surface morphology too proved that the prepared laminates of 2 wt% loading exhibited appreciable surface property. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1861–1868, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers

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