Experimental investigation on the tensile and flexural strength of nano-polymer composites

The prime aim of this investigation is to study the effect of Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay on the tensile and flexural strength of epoxy resin and GFRP. Two sets of composites viz., nanoclay as direct reinforcement (NCD) & nanoclay as filler material (NCF), were fabricated with varying weight percentage of nanoclay. In NCF, glass fiber weight percentage was also changed as 40 wt.% and 60 wt.%. NCD laminates were prepared by general casting technique where as NCF by hand lay-up technique. The specimens were prepared and tested for tensile strength, as per ASTM standard. The results reveled that increase in glass fiber weight percentage has enhanced tensile and flexural strength by 15 and 10%, respectively. Also, the nanoclay addition had positive influence on the tensile and flexural properties up to 13% and 15%, respectively.