Abstract
In the present investigation, K-10 montmorillonite nano-clay was infused into Epon 862 epoxy through a high intensity ultrasonic liquid processor. It was then mixed with hardener using a high speed mechanical stirrer to obtain a homogenous molecular mixture of epoxy resin and nano-clay. Air bubbles caused by high speed mechanical stirring were removed by high vacuum. DMA, TMA, TGA, and three point bending tests were performed on neat, 0.5 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 4 wt.% nano-clay-filled epoxy nanocomposites to identify the loading effect on thermal and mechanical properties of these composites. The flexural results indicated that the loading of 3 wt.% nano-clay in epoxy resin resulted in the highest improvement of flexural strength over neat epoxy. TGA results indicated that nanocomposites remained thermally stable since the decomposition temperature of neat epoxy did not change with the addition of nano particles. DMA results revealed that 2 wt.% doped system had the highest improvement in storage modulus over the neat epoxy system DMA results also indicated continued improvement of glass transition temperature upto 4% nano-clay loading. TMA results revealed that 2 wt% nano-clay loading resulted in lowest coefficient of thermal expansion value.
Original language | English |
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Journal | International SAMPE Symposium and Exhibition (Proceedings) |
Volume | 52 |
State | Published - 2008 |
Event | SAMPE 2008 - 52nd International SAMPE Symposium - Material and Process Innovations: Changing our World - Long Beach, CA, United States Duration: May 18 2008 → May 22 2008 |
Keywords
- Composites
- Nano-clay
- Nanocomposites