title: Influence of Nanoclay Dispersion Methods on the Mechanical Behavior of E-Glass/Epoxy Nanocomposites.
abstract: Common dispersion methods such as ultrasonic sonication, planetary centrifugal mixing and magnetic dispersion have been used extensively to achieve moderate exfoliation of nanoparticles in polymer matrix. In this study, the effect of adding three roll milling to these three dispersion methods for nanoclay dispersion into epoxy matrix was investigated. A combination of each of these mixing methods with three roll milling showed varying results relative to the unmodified polymer laminate. A significant exfoliation of the nanoparticles in the polymer structure was obtained by dispersing the nanoclay combining three roll milling to magnetic and planetary centrifugal mixing methods. This exfoliation promoted a stronger interfacial bond between the matrix and the fiber, which increased the final properties of the E-glass/epoxy nanocomposite. However, a combination of ultrasound sonication and three roll milling on the other hand, resulted in poor clay exfoliation; the sonication process degraded the polymer network, which adversely affected the nanocomposite final properties relative to the unmodified E-glass/epoxy polymer.
authors.affiliation: Materials Research and Education Center, Auburn University, 275 Wilmore Laboratories, Auburn, AL 36849, USA. vaa0002@auburn.edu.
authors.forename: Victor A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Agubra
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Materials, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA. powuor6138@mytu.tuskegee.edu.
authors.forename: Peter S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Owuor
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Materials, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA. hosur@mytu.tuskegee.edu.
authors.forename: Mahesh V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Hosur
keywords: dispersion methods; mechanical properties; nanoclays; nanocomposites