The Effects of Significant Conditions on the Dispersion of Epoxy-matrix Nanocomposites and Its Mechanical Properties

Different conditions of process and preparation methods to intercalate and exfoliate of organoclay in constituents of polyurethane (epoxy or polyamide resins) have been studied. Some significant parameters including mixing time, mixing speed, temperature, as well as curing procedure of nanocomposite in the presence or absence of solvent were investigated by analytical methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and rheological measurement. The results show a high quality dispersion of nanomaterial in the epoxy or polyamide/organoclay system produced by high strength ultra-sonication in a short time. Different preparation methods and formulations of epoxy-matrix nanocomposites have been also examined. The results obtained from this study provide a good understanding of the relationship between the formulation, processing conditions and performance. The processing conditions have great effects on the final properties of nanocomposites. Also the processing conditions have great effects on the final properties of nanocomposites such as mechanical properties. The results show a high performance nanocomposite systems produced by high strength ultra-sonication in a short time