Glass/Epoxy Polymer Nanocomposites: Manufacturing and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Nanotechnology involves the control and manipulation of materials at the nanoscale. As the surface area of a particle increases, creating more sites for bonding, catalysis or reaction with surrounding materials, resulting in improved properties such as increased strength or chemical or heat resistance. In the present work, epoxy modified with nanoclay cloisite 30B (having concentration 0.5wt%, 2wt%, 3wt% and 4wt% of epoxy) is reinforced with C-glass chopped strand fiber and E-glass unidirectional fiber to manufacture interply laminates. X-ray diffraction conducted on epoxy clay nanocomposites indicates exfoliation of nanoclay at all level of nanoclay loading. The effect of varying the nanoclay concentration is observed by carrying out tensile, 3-point bending strength test and hardness tests. Test result shows that tensile strength increases as the clay concentration varies from 0wt% to 3wt%. Tensile strength is maximum at 3wt% and further increase in clay concentration shows decrease in tensile strength. Flexural strength increases as the clay concentration varies from 0wt% to 4wt%. Micro hardness increases as clay concentration varies from 0wt% to 2wt% and then decrease at further loading. Further hygrothermal studies on nanocomposites have been performed in water and NaOH baths. During exposure it is observed that the properties degradation in NaOH is more as compared to water.