Effect of nano clay addition to energy absorption capacity of steel-polyurea bi-layer

The impact behavior of steel – polyurea bi-layer panel is studied and the effect of nano clay addition to polyurea is investigated. Experimental and numerical analysis is used. Polymeric and nano polymeric bi-layer specimens are fabricated and Simple tension test and drop impact test are carried out. Impactor acceleration for each test is recorded and compared with numerical one. Experimental results show that adding nano clay to polyurea will improve impact energy absorption and plastic deformation of bi-layer panel. nano clay with 1% weighting is added to soft part of the polyurea i.e. polyamine. Mechanical mixing and ultrasonic dispersion system is used for good dispersion of nano particles before mixing in polyamine. Experimental results show that elastic modulus is increased about 60% and elongation at break is decreased about 7% with nano clay addition. Also nano clay effects on bi-layer panel is studied with drop impact test and the results is verified with numerical analysis. It is shown that adding nano clay to polyurea as a reinforcement filler has increased the impact energy absorption about 3% and has decreased the maximum plastic deformation about