Hydrophilic Modified Clay Nanocomposites: Effect of Clay on Thermal and Vibrational Properties

Abstract

Epoxy (LY-556/HY-951) system filled with modified clay (MC) was synthesized by using mechanical shear mixing with the addition of hardener as tri-ethylene-tetra-amine (TETA). The effect of the fumed silica can be negated by the application of a shear force (e.g. mixing, brushing, spraying etc), allowing the liquid to flow, level out and permit the escape of entrapped air. The reinforcement effects of MC in the epoxy polymer on thermal, mechanical and vibration properties were studied. Curing study shows that the addition MC does not show any effect in the curing behavior of epoxy polymer. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) shows enhanced thermal stability for epoxy with MC fillers. The epoxy with MC fillers shows considerable improvement on tensile and impact properties over pure epoxy polymer. SEM studies shows that addition of clay significantly turns the epoxy system from brittle to ductile nature was played instrumental in scaling performance. The improvement in tensile and impact properties of nanocomposites is supported with the fracture surface studies. Epoxy with MC fillers shows enhanced vibration characteristics than that of the pure epoxy polymer. FTIR studies indicated the formation of C-H bonds on the surface of the nanocomposites.