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）与聚合物共混在当代复合材料技术的发展中具有广阔应用前景。本研究将纳米黏土添加至玻璃纤维与蕉麻纤维（Abaca fiber）增强混杂环氧树脂复合材料中，以提升材料的耐磨性能。按2%、4%、6%与8%的质量比添加纳米黏土进行增强，采用压制成型工艺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进行了测试。此外还研究了其吸水性能与微观形貌。研究发现，相较于EGA复合材料，添加4%纳米黏土的增强复合材料性能最优，其拉伸强度、弯曲强度与冲击强度分别提升6.6%、19.6%与22.6%。同样，该4%纳米黏土增强复合材料的磨损率也优于EGA复合材料，耐磨性能提升22.1%。