Study of Ultraviolet Radiation Effect on the Mechanical Properties of Jute and Montmorillonite Nanoclay Reinforced Polyester Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this research, the effect of UV light on the mechanical properties of jute polymer nanocomposites was evaluated. Due to the fact that photodegradation is a surface process and is confined to the degradation of the mechanical characteristics of polyester resin, this study focuses on the resin quality. Therefore, test samples comprised of fibre-reinforced polyester nanoclay composites were fabricated different weight ratios of nanoclay. They were put through UV exposure in an Ultraviolet (UV) chamber. Tensile testing samples were made in accordance with ASTMD638 and had a minimum thickness of 3 mm. Additionally, specimens for Flexural and Impact testing were also produced. Samples were treated at various time intervals under UV radiation and their mechanical properties were determined. The effect of nano additives in preventing the deterioration of polyester’s mechanical qualities was also investigated, and it was found that the addition of clay to polyester resin reduces the deterioration level by 19.86%, 9.38%, and 13.53% when compared to pure polyester resin’s tensile, flexural, and impact properties, respectively. The results demonstrated that samples containing nano additives were less susceptible to UV damage than that of the samples without nanoclay. This is because of the fact that when clay was added to the polymer, its platelets totally exfoliated and acted as barriers against the entry of UV radiation.