Effect of nano-clay fillers on mechanical and morphological properties of Napier/epoxy Composites

The effect of nano clay filler on the mechanical and morphological properties of Napier/epoxy composites was investigated. Neat, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt% and 5 wt% of Montmorillonite (MMT) nano clay filled Napier/epoxy composites were fabricated by vacuum infusion technique. These specimens were tested in the three points bending according to the ASTM D790. The flexural stress-strain curve, flexural strength, flexural modulus and strain to failure were then discovered based on the flexural test results. The results revealed that flexural strength and flexural modulus increased when a particular amount of nano clay was added to the epoxy matrix. 3 wt% of nano clay filler yielded the highest flexural strength with an improvement of 163% when compared to the neat Napier/epoxy composites. Moreover, a maximum of 180% increases in flexural modulus was registered at 5 wt% of nano clay filler. The enhanced properties of nano clay filled composites were highly achieved due to better dispersion and distribution of nano clay in the epoxy resin as well as an increase on the interfacial bonding. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), morphological analysis was conducted to observe the fracture surfaces of the specimens after the flexural test. Overall, the presence of nano clay filler loading with a range of 3 wt% to 5 wt% in the Napier/epoxy composites shows the significant improvement in mechanical and morphological properties. (paper)