Mechanical Properties of Nanoclay Composite Materials

Abstract

Owing to their versatility in a wide range of applications, polymer-based composite has become a popular material in replacing metal alloys. Incorporation of nanoparticles is one of the effective methods in enhancing the performance of the polymeric composite materials. Nanoclay (nC) is one of the prevalent reinforcing agents attributed to their weak Van Der Waals bonding between layers. The effects of the addition of nC on the properties of composite materials is highly dependent on various factors such as size, dispersity and loading of the nC. Also, there are many types of clay materials being used and they are classified based on the difference in their layered structure. Among them, montmorillonite (MMT) are the mostly used clay for polymeric composites, attributed to their superior cationic exchange capacity, greater surface area and aspect ratio. In this chapter, the effect of nC size, dispersion, loading, etc. towards the mechanical properties of composite materials were discussed. Their exceptional structure, morphology, and properties that lead to enhanced performances will be reviewed.