Studies on Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Properties of Glass Fibre Reinforced Polyoxymethylene Nanocomposite

Abstract

Polyoxymethylene is a material which has excellent mechanical properties similar to Nylon-6 filled with 30% GF. 75% POM and 25% glass fibre (POMGF) were blended with nanoclay to increase the tensile and flexural properties. Samples were extruded in twin screw extruder to blend POMGF and (1%, 3%, and 5%) Cloisite 25A nanoclay and specimens were prepared by injection moulding process. The tensile properties, flexural properties, impact strength, and hardness were investigated for the nanocomposites. The fibre pull-outs, fibre matrix adhesion, and cracks in composites were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy. 1% POMGF nanocomposite has low water absorption property. Addition of nanoclay improves the mechanical properties and thermal properties marginally. Improper blending of glass fibre and nanoclay gives low tensile strength and impact strength. SEM image shows the mixing of glass fibre and nanoclay among which 1% POMGF nanocomposite shows better properties compared to others. The thermal stability decreased marginally only with the addition of nanoclay.