S2-Glass/Epoxy Polymer Nanocomposites: Manufacturing, Structures, Thermal and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

This paper is primarily focused in studying the effects of nanoclay particles such as montmorillonite on improving mechanical and thermal properties of fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite materials. Basic correlations between polymer morphology, strength, modulus, toughness, and thermal stability of thermoset nanocomposites were investigated as a function of layered silicate content. S2-glass/epoxy-clay nanocomposites were manufactured through an affordable vacuum assisted resin infusion method (VARIM). The nanocomposites are formed during polymerization when the adsorbing monomer separates the clay particles into nanometer scales. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and wide angle X-ray diffraction(WAXD) were used to characterize the morphology of the dispersed clay particles. The thermal properties such as onset of decomposition and glass transition temperatures were determined by Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Dynamic Modulus Analyzer (DMA). Mechanical properties such as interlaminar shear strength, flexural properties and fracture toughness are also determined for both conventional S2-glass/epoxy composites and S2-glass fiber reinforced nanocomposites. The results show significant improvements in mechanical and thermal properties of conventional fiber reinforced composites with low loading of organo silicate nanoparticles. By dispersing 1% by weight nanosilicates, S2-glass/epoxy-clay nanocomposites attributed to almost 44, 24 and 23% improvement in interlaminar shear strength, flexural strength and fracture toughness in comparison to conventional S2-glass/epoxy composites. Similarly, the nanocomposites exhibit approximately 26 C higher decomposition temperatures than that of conventional composites. This improved properties of fiber reinforced polymer nanocomposites are achieved mostly due to increased interfacial surface areas, improved bond characteristics and intercalated/exfoliated morphology of the epoxy-clay nanocomposites. The TEM observations provide evidence of detailed morphology of the polymer layered-clay nanocomposites.

Hybrid epoxy nanocomposites: lightweight materials for structural applications

“…Kornmann et al 25 showed that there is a marginal improvement of 6% in the flexural modulus of epoxy composites after dispersion of 2.0 wt% clay particles, and similar behavior was also observed by Haque et al 26 On the basis of the improvements in Young's modulus and the flexural modulus, it can be concluded that Cloisite 30B is more compatible with the epoxy matrix than Cloisite 15A; Cloisite 30B improves Young's modulus by 147% and the flexural modulus by 133%. This may be result from a maximum enhancement in the interlayer spacing of Cloisite 30B powder in comparison with Cloisite 15A, as is further supported in Table 4.…”

Mechanical properties of nanocomposite laminated structure and its sensibility to modal analysis procedure

“…A more comprehensive study on clay-epoxy nanocomposites was undertaken by Haque and Shamsuzzoha (2003), which evaluated both mechanical and thermal properties. Their main conclusions were that thermo-mechanical properties mostly increase with low clay loadings (1-2% in Latin American Journal of Solids and Structures 11(2014) 245 -259 weight), but decrease with higher clay loadings (≥ 5% in weight).…”

Strain Rate Dependent Behavior of Glass/Nano Clay Filled Epoxy Resin Composite

“…Hence there is a need to explore further investigation. Haque 13 , et al fabricated glass/epoxy nanocomposites through an affordable vacuum assisted resin infusion method (VARIM). They showed that significant improvements in mechanical and thermal properties of conventional fiber reinforced composites with low loading of organo silicate nanoparticles.…”