Low Velocity Impact and Creep-Strain Behaviour of Vinyl Ester Matrix Nanocomposites Based on Layered Silicate

Abstract

The impact properties of neat vinyl ester and the nanocomposites were performed using a low velocity impact testing. The addition of layered silicate into the polymer matrix shows that an optimum range of nanoclay reinforcement in the vinyl ester matrix can produce enhanced load bearing and energy absorption capability compared to the neat matrix. In addition, the amount of microvoids in the nanocomposites structure influences the overall properties. Likewise, the influence of the clay addition into the neat polymer on the creep relaxation behaviour at 25°C and 60°C was studied. In both cases, the presence of the layered silicate remarkably improved the creep behaviour. The improvement of these properties can be assigned to the stiff fillers and the configurational linkage between the polymer and the layered silicate which are supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterisations by showing a distinct change in surface morphology associated with improved impact toughness and creep response.

The Preparation of Graphene Reinforced Poly(vinyl alcohol) Antibacterial Nanocomposite Thin Film

“…With the nanoscience and nanotechnology development in materials, nanomaterials which consist of at least one dimension in nanoscale have simulated considerable attention in the research field of advanced materials. Changing of the matrix and nanodimensional phase(s) may result in novel properties due to the dissimilarities in structure and chemistry which are remarkably different from those of the original component materials [1][2][3][4]. Polymer nanocomposites are one of these novel nanomaterials which have advantages not only in the reinforcement due to the high area to volume ratio, but also in the physical and engineering properties including fire retardancy, barrier resistance, and conductivity [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…Changing of the matrix and nanodimensional phase(s) may result in novel properties due to the dissimilarities in structure and chemistry which are remarkably different from those of the original component materials [1][2][3][4]. Polymer nanocomposites are one of these novel nanomaterials which have advantages not only in the reinforcement due to the high area to volume ratio, but also in the physical and engineering properties including fire retardancy, barrier resistance, and conductivity [3][4][5][6][7][8]. Therefore, various polymer nanocomposites have been developed aiming at different applications such as conductivity enhancement and mechanical improvements [5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

High Density Polyethylene/Libyan Kaolin Clay Nanocomposites: Effect of Clay Particle Size on Rheological, Surface and Mechanical Properties

“…This means that the wettability and/or hydrophilicity is increased for the HDPE. This is because the surface of each PCN contains some of the nanoclays [25].…”

“…More reduction in the Young's modulus (about 24.5%) was observed when clay with particle size of 150-300 µm was used. It is well known that the elastic modulus "Young's modulus" is a stiffness parameter which governs by the size and amount of the dispersed phase [25]. Table 2 represents also the Shore D hardness results of pure HDPE and its nanocomposites.…”

“…Proper particle size of kaolin at given filler content probably decreases the level of stress concentration in the composites with the resultant increase in impact strength. However, the proper particle size cannot be predicted, it depends on the particle shape, matrix and particle/matrix adhesion [25]. However, quality dispersion of nanoparticles in matrix plays key role for an improvement of impact properties of nanocomposites [34].…”