Effect of Halloysite Loading Rate on Mechanical Properties and Thermal Stability of HNT/Epoxy Nanocomposite

Shakun Srivastava; Anjaney Pandey

Abstract

Halloysite nanotube (HNT) based polymer matrix composites were fabricated through casting using ultrasonication, followed by compression moulding method. In this research, HNT is taken into account as reinforcement, dispersed into the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A epoxy (LY 556). HNT/x (x=0 to 5 wt.%) composites were analysed according to the mechanical properties like tensile, flexural, hardness and impact. It has been found that thermal stability has been appreciably improved and calculated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) apparatus. In support, microstructure evaluation for fractured tensile specimen’s surfaces was carried out for reinforcement failure and its effect. Obtained results revealed that HNT/x (x=3 wt.%) provides the highest improvement with respect to other composite series (x=0 to 5 wt.%, ≠3 wt.%) for mechanical properties and thermal stability. In particular, 110.5% increase in impact strength was achieved and 55.4, 34.8, and 30.7% increase in ultimate tensile strength, flexural strength and thermal stability for HNT/x (x=3 wt.%) respectively. Subsequently, reinforcement in matrix also raises hardness significantly.Keywords: Epoxy, HNT, tensile, thermal stability, microstructure