Mechanical Properties of Unsaturated Polyester / Montmorillonite Composites

Abstract

ABSTRACTNanocomposites composed of unsaturated polyester matrix and organically modified clay filler were prepared. After the synthesis, XRD patterns showed that the interlayer spacing expanded from 1.25 nm to 4.5 nm. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were determined and it was found that adding only 3 w/w % organically modified clay improved the flexural modulus of unsaturated polyester by 35%. From DSC diagrams, it was found that Tgvalues of the nanocomposites also increased with the clay content. It is concluded that partially exfoliated / intercalated nanocomposites were formed at relatively low clay contents.