Clay-reinforced epoxy nanocomposites: Synthesis, properties and mechanism of formation
- Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States); and others
Smectite clays are promising materials for the preparation of nanostructured polymer-clay composites by in situ intragallery polymerization. In the present work epoxy-clay nanocomposites have been synthesized by the exfoliation of organoclays during the epoxy thermosetting process. The extent of silicate layer separation is governed by the chain length of gallery cations, the clay layer charge density and the acidity of the gallery cations. By using different curing agents, we obtained both glassy and rubbery epoxy matrices. We have quantitatively described the mechanical reinforcement provided by the exfoliated clay layers in both types of matrices. Reinforcement was substantially greater for the rubbery epoxy matrix. Both the tensile strength and the modulus of the nanocomposite increased with increasing clay content. The reinforcement provided by the silicate layers at 15 wt% loading was manifested by a more than ten-fold improvement in tensile strength. The rubbery state of the matrix may allow alignment of the exfoliated silicate layers upon applying strain, thereby enhancing reinforcement.
- OSTI ID:
- 215192
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950801--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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