The Influence of Clay and Elastomer Concentration on the Morphology and Fracture Energy in Preformed Acrylic Rubber Dispersed Clay Filled Epoxy Nanocomposites

Published

November 1, 2005

Author(s)

G Balakrishnan, P R. Start, D T. Raghavan, Steven Hudson, D Yebassa

Abstract

The influence of toughener and clay concentration on the morphology and mechanical properties of three-phase, rubber-modified epoxy nanocomposites was studied. Nanocomposite samples were prepared by adding octadecyl ammonium ion exchanged clay to a dispersion of pre-formed acrylic rubber particles in liquid epoxy, so as to minimize alteration to the rubber morphology in the final cured specimen. The state of clay platelet exfoliation and rubber dispersion in the cured nanocomposites was studied using TEM. The amounts of clay platelet separation and dispersion of clay aggregates in the epoxy matrix were found to be sensitive to clay and toughener concentration. Tensile modulus and strength increase and ductility decreases with increasing organoclay content, while rubber has the opposite effects on the properties of epoxy resin. When both additives are present in epoxy resin, a favorable combination is produced: ductility is enhanced without compromising modulus and strength. The glass transition temperature of epoxy resin remains relatively unchanged with clay addition.

Citation

Plasma Processes and Polymers

Volume

46

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

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Keywords

clay, epoxy, fracture energy, morphology, nanocomposite, preformed acrylic, rubber

Citation

Balakrishnan, G. , Start, P. , Raghavan, D. , Hudson, S. and Yebassa, D. (2005), The Influence of Clay and Elastomer Concentration on the Morphology and Fracture Energy in Preformed Acrylic Rubber Dispersed Clay Filled Epoxy Nanocomposites, Plasma Processes and Polymers, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=852538 (Accessed December 12, 2024)