Mechanical behavior of hybrid glass Fibre/Epoxy Clay nanocomposites

Addition of organoclay to polymer matrix has recently attracted industry attention due to improved physical properties with an overwhelming potential in crude oil and water pipe applications. In this work, electrical grade-corrosion resistant (E-CR) glass fiber mats were used to prepare glass fiber reinforced epoxy (GFRE) nanoclay composites using hand layup method. Three different hybrid GFRE composites were made using 0, 1.5 and 3 wt% loading of I.30E nanoclay. High shear mixing was used to prepare the epoxy/clay nanocomposite. XRD results revealed a disordered intercalated morphology. The effect of nanoclay on mechanical properties were investigated by carrying out flexural and fracture toughness tests. The test results showed that addition of nanoclay up to 1.5 wt% improved both flexural strength and fracture toughness. However, these properties deteriorated when the clay content increased to 3 wt%.