IMPROVEMENT OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE PLATES CREATED BY ADDING VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF NANOCLAY
Project no. 1390 · Status: Kapanmış · 2017
Summary
In this study, it is aimed to investigate the change in the mechanical properties of composite materials by nano additive. Fort his purpose, organically modified nanoclay combined with epoxy matrix at 0%, 1% and 2% by weight of resin. Nanoclay was distrubuted in epoxy by using ultrasonic mixer. Nanoclay/epoxy mixture was impregnated into a plain woven E-glass fiber fabric using vacuum infusion method. Same production methodology was followed all composite plates. In order to determine the effect of nanoclay addition on mechanical properties, tensile, three-point bending and four-point bending tests were performed at room temperature in ASTM D3039 and ASTM D7264 standards. At least five specimens were used for each test. As a result of tensile test, tensile strength was decreased with addition of nanoclay. The tensile strength of 1 % and 2 % nanoclay reinforcement decreased by about 7 % and 35 % compared to the neat sample, respectively. In addition, strain at maximum stress and modulus elasticity values decreased. Sharp drops were seen in mechanical properties obtained from three point bending tests. Flexural strength decreased by approximately 26 % and 15 %, respectively, compared to the neat sample as the amount of reinforcement increased. Modulus of elasticity in bending decreased by approximately 13 % and 4 %. Four point bending test results were similar to three point bending test results. In this test, unlike the three point bending test, 3% nanoclay reinforcement increased the elasticity modulus value. Flexural strength and strain at maximum stress values decreased with nanoclay addition. Mechanical properties showed decreament with nanoclay addition. When the nanoclay/epoxy mixture was taken with a vacuum hose and starts to flow through the infusion mesh, it is thought that the nanoclay agglomareted both in the infusion mesh and on the upper layers of the fabrics and a situation that is not homogenous in the distribution. Keywords: Nanoclay, vacuum infusion, mechanical properties