Effect of water absorption on the mechanical properties of nanoclay filled recycled cellulose fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid nanocomposites

Alamri, H.; Low, I.M.

Effect of water absorption on the mechanical properties of nanoclay filled recycled cellulose fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid nanocomposites

Type

Article

Authors

Alamri, H.
Low, I.M.

Date

2013-01

Abstract

Recycled cellulose fibre (RCF) reinforced epoxy/clay nanocomposites were successfully synthesized with different weight percentages (0%, 1%, 3% and 5%) of organoclay platelets (30B). The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of water absorption on the physical and mechanical properties of the RCF reinforced epoxy/clay nanocomposites. TEM images indicated a well-intercalated structure of nanoclay/epoxy matrix with some exfoliated regions. Water absorption was found to decrease as the clay content increased. The flexural strength, flexural modulus and fracture toughness significantly decreased as a result of water absorption. However, the properties of impact strength and impact toughness were found to increase after exposing to water. The addition of nanoclay slightly minimized the effect of moisture on the mechanical properties. SEM images showed that water absorption severely damaged the cellulose fibres and the bonding at fibres-matrix interfaces in wet composites. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Alamri H, Low IM (2013) Effect of water absorption on the mechanical properties of nanoclay filled recycled cellulose fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid nanocomposites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 44: 23–31. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2012.08.026.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Ms E. Miller from Applied Physics at Curtin University of Technology for assistance with SEM. Authors are also grateful to Dr. Rachid Sougrat from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology for performing the TEM images. Finally, we thank Andreas Viereckl of Mechanical Engineering at Curtin University for the help with Charpy Impact Test.