Effect of Nanoclay in the Mechanical and Thermal Behaviour of Glass Fibre Reinforced Epoxy

Abstract

This work investigates the effect of nanoclay in the mechanical and thermal characteristics of GFRP laminates. The Cloisite 15A nanoclay has added to the matrix with proportion of 1%, 2% and 3% by weight. The processed nanocomposites are characterized with X-Ray Diffraction to identify the inter layer spacing of clay in the matrix. The filler added epoxy, reinforced with the unidirectional glass fibre by hand layup technique and the specimens are tested for tension, hardness, flexural and fracture loadings. Dynamical mechanical analysis and thermo gravimetric tests are also conducted to understand the visco-elastic and thermal behaviour of the material. The addition of clay in the matrix generally increases the mechanical properties up to our consideration that is 3% clay loading. Thermal and visco-elastic behaviour found consistent up to 1% clay loading and reduces the performance after that in overall sense.