Experimentation, optimization, and predictive analysis of compressive behavior of montmorillonite nano-clay/unsaturated polyester composites

Abstract

The effect of montmorillonite (MMT) nano-clay as reinforcement in unsaturated polyester resin (UP) matrix composite was investigated under compression loading to explore the impact of MMT nano-clay wt% in the compressive behavior of UP-MMT nano-clay composite. UP-MMT nano-clay composite samples were prepared with a varied filler content of 0.5 to 3 wt% using dual-mixing methods, which are mechanical stirring and ultrasonic agitation. Static uniaxial compression tests were conducted using cylindrical-shaped samples to obtain the compressive behavior of the UP-MMT nano-clay composites. The results of experimentation record a considerable improvement in compressive characteristics of UP-MMT nano-clay composites compared to pure UP matrix. The UP-MMT nano-clay composite samples were viewed under transmission electron microscope (TEM) to know the dispersion of MMT nano-clay in the composites. The nano-platelets were well dispersed and intercalated in the UP-MMT nano-clay composite samples below 1 wt% MMT nano-clay loading. The optimum wt% of MMT nano-clay in the UP-MMT nano-clay composite for improved compressive stress at yield and modulus were noted as 0.60 and 0.61 wt% respectively. Moreover, a mathematical model using Halpin–Tsai-Jumahat equations was utilized to predict the compressive properties of UP-MMT nano-clay composites, which are in closer agreement with the experimental results.