Nano Clay Effect on Morphology, Mechanical Properties and Water Absorption of Vinyl Ester- Based Nanocomposites

Nanocomposites based on vinyl ester resin (Derakane 470-300) and nanoclay (Cloisite 30B) were prepared. The effect of clay content of 1, 3 and5% (by weight) on the morphology, mechanical properties and water absorptionof vinyl ester resin nanocomposites were studied. The nanocomposites werecharacterized using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), field emission scanningelectron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and mechanicalproperty measurements. SAXS and TEM images revealed a fully exfoliatedmorphology for clay content of 1 and 3% and an intercalated morphology for claycontent 5%. Mechanical tests results showed that the vinyl ester nanocomposites havesignificantly better mechanical properties than neat vinyl ester resin. It is also foundthat water absorption drops in all specimens containing nano caly, and it is reduced tohalf its value with respect to the neat resin when the Cloisite 30B content is only 1%.The hardness of vinyl ester samples increased from 40 to 57 Barcol (approximately43% increase) with by incorporating nanoclay of 1%.