Mechanical properties of clay/TiO2 epoxy hybrid nanocomposites

Abstract

Composite material is a macroscopic combination of two or more distinct materials, having a recognizable interface between them. The two phases in a composite material are matrix phase and reinforcement phase. When the matrix material used is polymer, then the composites made are called Polymer Nanocomposites. Polymers make ideal materials as they can be processed easily, possess lightweight and desirable mechanical properties. Composites are not only used for their structural properties, but also for electrical, thermal, and environmental applications. Also the high temperature resins are extensively used in aeronautical applications. Modern composite materials are usually optimized to achieve a particular balance of properties for a given range of applications. As there are compromises with properties in the composites, great efforts have been undertaken to modify these materials at the nanoscale to optimize their performance. So, in order to get the more excellent properties composites are filled with Nanomaterials. In the present work, Clay Epoxy Nanocomposites were developed using Hand Layup technique. These Clay Epoxy Nanocomposites were developed in different compositions on which different mechanical properties were found. The Tensile Strength and the Flexural Strength were evaluated on Universal Testing Machine and the Hardness was evaluated at Vickers’ Hardness test apparatus. The best results were found with 2 wt% composition of Nanoclay. Thereafter, TiO2 was added in different proportions fixing the 2 wt% of Nanoclay. Again the different Mechanical properties were found for the prepared Epoxy Hybrid Nanocomposites.