Influence of Nanoclay on the technical properties of Glass-Abaca hybrid Epoxy composite

Abstract The blending of nanoclay in polymers has potential prospects in the recent development of composite technology. In this present research work, Nanoclay was added to Glass fiber and Abaca fiber reinforced hybrid epoxy composites to enhance the wear resistance of the material. Nanoclay at weight ratios of 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% was reinforced and the composite was fabricated into laminates using compression moulding. Nanoclay reinforced composites were tested for mechanical characteristics and wear rate in comparison to the non nanoclay reinforced hybrid composites. Water absorption character and morphology were also studied. It was observed that the 4% nanoclay reinforced composites showed the optimum results, with an increase in tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strengths of 6.6%, 19.6%, and 22.6% respectively when compared with EGA composite. Similarly the wear rate of the 4% nanoclay reinforced composite also was better than the EGA composite, showing an increase of 22.1% improved resistance.

摘要：纳米黏土（nanoclay）与聚合物的复合体系在当代复合材料技术的发展进程中具备广阔应用潜力。本研究将纳米黏土添加至玻璃纤维与蕉麻纤维增强的混杂环氧基复合材料中，以提升材料的耐磨性能。研究分别以2%、4%、6%、8%的质量比添加纳米黏土进行增强，并采用压缩模塑法制备复合材料层合板。相较于未添加纳米黏土的混杂复合材料，本研究对纳米黏土增强复合材料的力学性能与磨损率开展了测试，同时还对复合材料的吸水特性与微观形貌进行了分析。结果表明，与EGA复合材料相比，添加4%纳米黏土的增强复合材料表现出最优综合性能，其抗拉强度、抗弯强度与冲击强度分别提升了6.6%、19.6%与22.6%。类似地，该4%纳米黏土增强复合材料的磨损率同样优于EGA复合材料，耐磨性能提升22.1%。