Effect of the Addition of Nanoclays on the Water Absorption and Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber/UP Resin Composites

GASTON FRANCUCCI; NAHUEL RULL; ROMINA OLLIER; EXEQUIEL RODRIGUEZ; VERA ALVAREZ

Buenos Aires

Simposio; X Simposio Argentino de Polímeros (SAP2013); 2013

Nanosized reinforcing particles have high internal surface and therefore they tend to agglomerate and are difficult to disperse homogeneously in the polymeric matrix. Moreover, the final properties of the nanocomposites are strongly influenced by clay particles? morphology and dispersion. In this work, the effect of the addition of nanoclays (bentonite) on the water absorption and mechanical properties of glass fiber/unsaturated polyester resin composites was studied. Chemical modifications on the bentonite with tributyl hexadecyl phosphonium bromide (TBHP) and octadecyl ammonium chloride (ODA) were carried out to improve its compatibility with the polymeric matrix. Results showed that the treatment with ODA was very effective in improving clay dispersion, reducing water absorption and increasing the composites? performance in humid environments