Effect of nanoclay on thermal behavior of jute reinforced composite

Abstract

Due to enhanced mechanical strength, superior flame resistance, and decreased gas permeability, montmorillonite nanoclay has been introduced to the jute-polyester resin composite materials for structural application. Long-fiber Bangla tossa special jute is being used as reinforcement materials along with 1, 3, and 5% addition of nanoclay within the matrix-fiber mixture to find the optimum percentage of nanoclay. These doped hand lay-up-processed plates are used to made samples for dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetry testing as per ASTM standards. Temperature-induced weight loss due to thermal decomposition was measured and char residue was calculated up to 1000 °C, where 5% added nanoclay samples showed better thermal stability. Viscoelastic properties through storage modulus and loss modulus showed better stability with 1% nanoclay-added composite in dynamic mechanical analysis. Moisture and temperature did not affect the tested samples significantly in diminutive exposure for 1% nanoclay-added samples even though there is a loss of storage modulus 12 to 30% for 3 and 5% nanoclay-added samples, respectively.