Effect of organoclays on mechanical properties of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy nanocomposite

Effect of organoclays on the mechanical properties of glass-epoxy nanocomposites at 2 wt% filler loading has been reported. Organoclays were dispersed by ultrasonication method and nanocomposites were fabricated using hand layup technique. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, tensile and flexural tests were conducted to evaluate mechanical properties of nanocomposites as per ASTM standards. The experimental results showed that void content was found to be in the control limit. The d-spacing between the clay platelets was increased significantly. G-E + NC-III nanocomposite showed 13% and 29% improvement in ultimate tensile strength and flexural strength, respectively, when compared with G-E + NC-00 composite. Fractured surface of the G-E + NC-III nanocomposite depicted the extensively uneven, very rough, coarse and residue of epoxy. Very clean, deeper shear lip and significant resin/fiber cracking, microvoids, nanoclay agglomeration were observed in G-E + NC-00 and G-E + NC-V composites, respectively. Overall, performance of nanocomposites was increased by the addition of organoclay.