Comparison of the Experimental Mechanical Properties and DMA Measurement of Nanoclay Hybrid Composites

Abstract

This study explores the effects of nanoclay addition on mechanical response of Glass/Carbon/Glass fiber (G/C/G) reinforced epoxy matrix composite laminates under tensile and flexural loadings. Organomodified nanoclay containing Glass/Carbon/Glass hybrid composite laminate was evaluated for dynamic mechanical properties as well as mechanical strength, stiffness and ductility. Three different weight fractions of nanoclay containing fiber reinforced hybrid composites were manufactured. The amount of nanoclay additions were 0 wt %, 0.75 wt % and 1.25 wt % with respect to epoxy resin and hardener. A nanoclay containing epoxy-Glass/Carbon/Glass hybrid composite laminate were manufactured by using a hydraulic hot press. Then, tensile, flexural tests and dynamic mechanic analysis (DMA) was implemented to ASTM standard specimens which were cut from the plates by using abrasive water jet cutter. Uniaxial tensile and three-point bending tests have been carried out to obtain some mechanical characteristics such Young's modulus, tensile strength, break strain, flexural strength and modulus of the hybrid composites. DMA measurements also performed to compare nanoclay effect. The results of this study demonstrated that the mechanical behavior was positively affected by nanoclay addition into epoxy resin. The tensile strength and flexural strength significantly increased compared to the non-nanoclay hybrid composite (pure). However glass transition temperature (T g) of hybrid composites decreased with increasing amount of nanoclay.