Amine-cured epoxy/clay nanocomposites. II. The effect of the nanoclay aspect ratio

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part B, Polymer physics Polymer physics, 2004-12, Vol.42 (23), p.4391-4400
• Main Authors: Miyagawa, Hiroaki, Rich, Michael J., Drzal, Lawrence T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; computer modeling; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; modulus; nanocomposites; organoclay; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; thermal properties
• ISSN: 0887-6266; 1099-0488
• DOI: 10.1002/polb.20289

The thermophysical and mechanical properties of a nanocomposite material composed of amine‐cured diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) reinforced with organomontmorillonite clay are reported. The storage modulus at 100 °C, which was above the glass‐transition temperature (Tg), increased approximately 350% with the addition of 10 wt % (6.0 vol %) of clay. Below the Tg, the storage modulus at 30 °C increased 50% relative to the value of unfilled epoxy. It was determined that the Tg linearly increased as a function of clay volume percent. The tensile modulus of epoxy at room temperature increased approximately 50% with the addition of 10 wt % of clay. The reinforcing effect of the organoclay nanoplatelets is discussed with respect to the Tandon–Weng and Halpin–Tsai models. A pseudoinclusion model is proposed to describe the behavior of randomly oriented, uniformly dispersed platelets in nanocomposite materials. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4391–4400, 2004