Abstract
Summary: Vinylester resin matrix composites were fabricated with 1, 3, 5 and 10 wt.β% loadings of organoclay. The composite samples were subjected to various characterization techniques like Xβray diffraction, flexural testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The clay samples as well as the clayβresin composites were investigated by Xβray diffraction. From the shift in the peak positions and the change in dβspacing values, it was evident that there was intercalation in the 10 wt.β% composites, whereas exfoliation occurred in the 1, 3, and 5 wt.β% composites. The flexural strength and the breaking energy of all the composites were decreased compared with the unfilled resin, but there was an increase in flexural modulus value by 13%. From the dynamic mechanical analysis of the 3 and the 5 wt.β% composites, it was observed that the loss modulus value was higher in the 3 wt.β% composites, but the glass transition temperature was slightly higher in the 5 wt.β% composites. Thermal degradation behavior was also improved in the 5 wt.β% composites compared with the 3 wt.β% composites.
Fracture surface of 3 wt.β% clay filled vinylester resin matrix composite in different magnifications.
magnified imageFracture surface of 3 wt.β% clay filled vinylester resin matrix composite in different magnifications.