Proposed Work

Title: Effect of Nanoclay on Mechanical Behavior of Polymer Nanocomposites

1. Introduction
There is an increased interest in polymer nanocomposites using Nanoclay such as
Montmorillonite due to its high cation exchange capacity [1-2], large specific surface area,
swelling capacity, high platelet aspect ratio, ease of surface modification and have been
successfully used to improve the mechanical, thermal, barrier and fire retardant properties [3-
6]. These are considered for applications in a wide variety of areas, such as aerospace,
marine, electronics, sports goods, and automotive industries [8-10]. However,
nanocomposites do not always offer improved material properties over the conventional
composites. In fact, poorly dispersed nanocomposites result in degraded mechanical
properties [11-12].
In recent years, use of organoclays as precursors to nanocomposite formation has been
extended to various polymer systems including epoxy, vinylester, polyurethanes, polyimides
and polyesters. Among these vinylester based nanocomposites have significant importance
due to their wide range of applications owing to superior mechanical properties.
It also brings difficulties in dispersing the nanoparticles due to their strong interactions
among themselves. Due to these interlayer interactions, it is extremely difficult to disperse
nanoparticles uniformly, especially at higher particle loadings [13-15]. The organophilic
clays are not compatible with hydrophobic organic polymers as the spacing between the clay
sheets is extremely narrow and hence diffusion of polymer chains in the clay galleries is not
likely. This often leads to aggregation of clay particles, and the aggregated clay sheets act as
stress-concentration sites in the polymer matrix [16-17]. Melt intercalation is a simpler and
more economical technique than in-situ polymerization. Mixture of polymer and nanoclay
was heated above its glass transition temperature or melt temperature as a result of which the
polymer is penetrated in between the layered silicates. Ultrasonication for dispersion of
nanofillers in polymeric resins is widely reported. High shear forces during the dispersion
exfoliate the nanoclay by breaking the agglomerates. Extruders and three-roll mill or ball mill
are designed to achieve exfoliation of nanoclay through high shear forces by controlling
speed and temperature. Among the existing techniques, twin-screw extrusion may provide
some advantages over others due to its effective dispersion in twin screw extrusion.
Moreover, twin screw extrusion has to be performed within an appropriate and limited
window (temperature, shear, etc.). Under this circumstance, it becomes important to study
property changes in nanocomposites that result from partial exfoliation and how different
mixing combinations lead to varying degrees of exfoliation.

2. Project Objectives
The objective of the research was to examine the effect of nanoclay on the mechanical properties
of vinylester glass.
The specific objectives of the project were:
To prepare and optimize the mixing parameters of organo modified Montmorillonite in
polymeric resins using ultrasonication and twin screw extruder (Vinylester).
To prepare glass fibre reinforced nanoclay polymer composite laminates by hand layup
technique.
To evaluate the mechanical properties of organo modified nanoclay filled polymer GFRP
composite.


Characterization of the ILSS
Characterization of the Flexural
Strength and tensile,

Nanoclay / vinylester laminate
specimens (250 X 250 X 3) mm
3

Fabrication of nanoclay / vinylester
/ glass nanocomposites by Hand
lay-up technique
Dispersion of nanoclay in vinylester
(ultrasonication and twin screw extrusion)
3. Project Methodology
The project methodology involved following steps:
Dispersion of 0 to 5wt% nanoclay into vinylester resin by ultrasonication followed by
twin screw extrusion.
Fabrication of nanoclay / vinylester / glass nanocomposites of 250 mm X 250 mm X 3
mm by wet hand lay-up technique.
Characterization of nanoclay/vinylester/glass specimens for tensile strength, flexural
strength and interlaminar shear strength.













Figure 1 Flow chart for Project Methodology

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