Assessment of nanoclay filled epoxy on mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance properties of nanocomposites Kumar M. Ashok*, Reddy K. Hemachandra, Reddy Y. Venkata Mohana, Reddy G. Ramachandra, Kumar N.S. Venkatesh, Reddy B.H. Nanjunda Sri Krishnadevaraya University College of Engineering & Technology, Anantapur-515055, Andhra Pradesh, India. J.N.T.University Anantapur, Anantapur-515002, Andhra Pradesh, India. G. Pulla Reddy Engineering College, Kurnool-518002 (AP) India. Sri Krishnadevaraya University-515055, Anantapur Govt. Polytechnic, Anantapur-515002. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus, Bangalore. * Corresponding Author Email: ashokkumarmala7@hotmail.com, konireddy@gmail.com, yvmr06@yahoo.com
Abstract Clay/epoxy nanocomposites are synthesized by high shear mechanical mixer followed by ultra-sonicator is used to obtain the homogeneous mixture of epoxy and clay under the aid of in-situ polymerization. Compression, impact, hardness, frictional coefficient and chemical resistance properties of the nanocomposites are studied to assess the influence of surface modified clay filled with epoxy as a function of clay. It is observed that all the properties are increased with increasing clay content up to 5 wt. % clay, decreased further increasing in clay content. Mechanical properties are optimally increased at 5 wt. % clay and yet results are compared with neat epoxy matrix. The system is processed by hand-lay up technique for making the test specimens. Fractured surfaces are tested by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) unearths reasons for the significant improvements. In Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), 6°C rise in decomposition temperature is found. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the modified clay particles affected the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the nanocomposites. Top Keywords Clay, Epoxy, Mechanical properties, Thermal properties, Chemical resistance, Nanocomposies. Top |