IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
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Mechanical Characterization Of Mmt Nano Clay/Epoxy/ Basalt Fiber
Composites
To cite this article: Susilendra Mutalikdesai et al 2021 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 1065 012026
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ICFEST 2020 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1065 (2021) 012026 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1065/1/012026
MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MMT NANO
CLAY/EPOXY/ BASALT FIBER COMPOSITES
Susilendra Mutalikdesai, Vani R, Arpan Bhandari, Aishwarya Jain Y
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yenepoya Institute of Technology, Moodbidri, India
[email protected]
Abstract. The importance of composite fibers have been rapidly increasing since the inception
of its discovery, in almost every engineering field. They possess beneficial properties such as
low weight, high strength, highly resistive towards corrosion which makes them unique. The
objective of present study is to fabricate composite using epoxy as polymer and basalt fiber as
reinforcement and to investigate the influence of dispersing MMT Nano clay (Montmorillonite
Nano-clay) in polymer. Conventional hand lay-up technique was used for the fabrication of
composite laminate. The bi-directional basalt fiber was used as reinforcement and epoxy was
taken as matrix material. Mechanical Characterization of MMT Nano clay/epoxy/basalt fiber
composites was carried out for tests such as tensile, flexural and impact test, the results showed
that the laminate had comprehensible properties, concluding usage of composite material is more
beneficial and cost effective than conventional materials in many ways.
Keywords. Hand lay-up technique, Tensile Test, Flexural Test, Impact Test
1. Introduction
Two or more dissimilar material combined together forms a composite material which has the properties
superior to its parent material. In the finished structure, the blended materials remain separate and
distinct, differentiating composites from solid solutions and mixtures [1]. Researchers have started to
include computation, sensing, communication and actuation into composite material known as Robotic
Materials. Wattle and Daub is one of the oldest composite synthetic materials, more than 6000 years
old. [2]. There are also greener ways of acquiring fibers from the nature which are eco-friendly and do
not leave any traces behind at end life. Natural fibers can be obtained from plants, animals and many
other sources as well. The world's second most plentiful natural polymer is Chitin, whereas collagen is
first. It is a “linear polysaccharide of β-(1-4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose” [3].
A notable change in the use of natural fibers was reported for the manufacture of composites
all over the world [4-6]. Natural fibers, moreover, have the potential to replace synthetic fibers, such as
glass, spandex, and nylon, in many ecological factors but not in respect of mechanical strength.
Basalt fibers are extruded continuously from selected basalt stones (volcanic, effusive rocks with 45-
25% silica) of high temperature melt (around 1500°C) [7]. The chemical structure of basalt fiber is
similar to that of glass, with slightly higher density (0.26 g/cm3 than glass) [8]. The more important
factor is that basalt fibers are chemically more stable when compared to glass fibers, especially in an
acidic environment [9]. This allows basalt fibers for more effective binding to sizing agents, such as
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ICFEST 2020 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1065 (2021) 012026 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1065/1/012026
organ silanes, resulting in reduced usage of chemicals which has to be used along glass fibers [10]. Also,
basalt fibers can be used in a wide range of temperatures, from 200°C to 600°C [11].
Synthetic resins are viscous substances that are industrially manufactured and processed into
rigid/solid polymers through the curing process. Resins typically contain reactive end groups in order to
undergo curing [12], such as acrylates or epoxides. Some synthetic resins may have identical qualities
to natural plant resins, too [13]. Epoxy resin, made by polycondensation or polymerization-polyaddition
reactions, is the classic variety used as a thermoset polymer for composites and adhesives [14]. Epoxy
resin, seamless and waterproof, is two times stronger than concrete. Therefore, it has been primarily in
use since the 1960s for commercial flooring purposes. However, since 2000, epoxy and polyurethane
resins have also been used in interior designs, particularly in Western Europe.
In present work Nano composite is fabricated by dispersing MMT Nano clay with varying
weight ratio 0%, 2%, 4%, 6% with epoxy resin (LY556) and basalt fiber as re-enforcement. The present
work also focuses on mechanical characterization of MMT Nano clay (Montmorillonite Nano-clay)
/epoxy/basalt fiber Nano composites.
2. Material selection, Fabrication and Material characterization
2.1. Material Selection
The details of the processing of the composites and the experimental procedures carried out for their
characterization and tests to which the composite specimens are subjected are described in material
selection and manufacture. In this job, the raw materials used are:
• Basalt fiber
• Nano clay-15A
• Synthetic Epoxy text.
2.1.1. Basalt fiber. A recent rise can be seen globally in the use of eco-friendly, natural fibres as
reinforcement for the manufacture of lightweight, low-cost polymer composites. Basalt fibre, which
provides outstanding properties over glass fibres, is one such material of interest currently being used
extensively. High basic mechano-physio-chemical properties, synthetic degradability, and non-abrasive
qualities, to name a few, are the prominent advantages of these composites. This paper provides a brief
analysis of basalt fibres used as a composite reinforcement material and explores them as an alternative
to the use of glass fibres. The paper also addresses the basics of and classification of basalt chemistry.
In addition, the growing trend in research publications and activities in the field of basalt fibres is also
discussed in an attempt to show. The improvement in mechanical, thermal and chemical resistant
properties achieved for applications in specific industries is discussed in further sections.
2.1.2. Nano Clay. Nano clays are clay minerals designed for use in multi-functional structures with
many property improvements aimed at unique applications in Nano composites. Polymer clay- Nano
composites are a particularly well-researched class of materials of this kind. Nano clays are a wide class
of naturally occurring inorganic minerals, the most widely used material applications of which are
plaques such as montmorillonites. Nanaoclay-15A was selected for the present job.
2.1.3. Epoxy LY 556. The chemically synthesised high molecular polymer is synthetic resin, short for
resin. Therefore, after the name of the synthetic resin it is made from, various kinds of plastic can be
named. Synthetic resin makes up 30 % to ~60 % or more of its composition, the essential raw material
of plastic. It has the feature of agglutination, not only binding together but also binding strongly together
the other materials. The physical and mechanical properties of plastic often change as the form, property,
and amount of synthetic resin change. The key characteristics of plastic are therefore based on the
synthetic resin from which it is made. LY 556 is a medium viscosity epoxy resin based on bisphenol-A
with excellent mechanical properties which can be modified by using different hardeners as well as
fillers.
2.2. Fabrication. The composite laminate fabrications are carried out using traditional hand lay-up
techniques. The bi-directional basalt fibre is used as a reinforcement and the matrix content taken is
epoxy LY556. Basalt fibre is manufactured by Nickunje Exhimp Entp P Ltd. Zenith Polymers India Ltd
supplied with epoxy resin and the accompanying hardener. The synthetic epoxy resin and hardener are
combined by weight percentage at a ratio of 10:1. Composites of varying compositions with three
2
ICFEST 2020 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1065 (2021) 012026 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1065/1/012026
distinct filler content percentage. The most commonly used and simple process for producing fibre-
reinforced polymer composites is the hand lay-up technique. Hand Layup technique was adopted for
fabrication of laminates. Number of fibre layers and weight of resin mixture was taken according for
calculation. Apply resin layer by layer by using hand lay-up method. For curing, the laminate is kept for
24 hours of recovery at room temperature. After curing specimens of standard sizes are cut from
laminates for different mechanical testing.
2.3. Material Characterization. On prepared laminates, the mechanical properties of basalt and Nano
clay composites have been determined. In compliance with ASTM standards ASTMD 638 and ASTMD
790, tensile and flexural tests were performed on the universal test unit. The tensile test is the most
widely used mechanical test in which the sample is steadily loaded until it breaks or fails. One of the
main mechanical properties of any material is flexural strength. Flexural strength is the ability of the
composite material to withstand bending forces applied perpendicular to its longitudinal axis before the
three-point flexural test technique breaks or begins to yield permanently. Impact strength is the material's
ability to withstand a suddenly applied load, or it can also be described as the material's ability to absorb
mechanical energy in the deformation and fracture process under impact loading. Impact experiments
were carried out on the impact measuring unit, according to ASTMD 179EU.
3. Result
3.1. Tensile test. The specimen has been prepared in compliance with the ASTMD 638 requirements
and it can be inferred by examining tensile tests for various composites that the dispersion of filler
content in synthetic epoxy resin results in a decrease in tensile strength. Synthetic epoxy basalt
composite with 0 % filler content having 388MPa has demonstrated material tensile strength.
Figure 1. Tensile strength of different laminates
Figure 2. Tensile test specimens (a) before (b) after
3.2. Flexural Test. According to the ASTMD 790 standards the specimen has prepared and tested.
From graph analysis and test it is obtained that composite Nano clay as the filler material 2% has
exhibit good flexural strength 387MPa compared to others.
3
ICFEST 2020 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1065 (2021) 012026 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1065/1/012026
Figure 3. Flexural strength of different laminates
Figure 4. Flexural test specimens (a) before (b) after
3.3. Impact Test. According to the ASTMD 179EU standards the specimen has prepared and tested.
From graph analysis and test we concluded that 6% Nano clay has good impact strength 153.34kJ/m2
compared other.
Figure 5. Impact strength of different laminates
Figure 6. Impact test specimens (a) before (b) after
4. Conclusion
Experimental tests were conducted on basalt fibre reinforced plastic laminates with Nano clay dispersed
by 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6%. Mechanical experiments have been carried out, such as tensile tests, bending
tests and impact tests.
Findings on examination of materials and conclusions, based on the experimental results and
analysis, the following conclusions were arrived at,
• Tensile measurements also helped assess the tensile strengths of various percentages of fillers.
4
ICFEST 2020 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1065 (2021) 012026 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1065/1/012026
• 388MPa, 377MPa, 347MPa and 295MPa respectively are the tensile strength of laminates with
0 percent, 2 percent, 4 percent and 6 percent Nano clay fillers. The findings show that the tensile
strength of the material is not quite appreciable with the addition of filler to the composites.
• The overall obtained flexural strength was 2 percent Nano clay 387MPa. Followed by 0 percent
Nano clay 369MPa, 4 percent Nano clay has 347MPa and 6 percent Nano clay has 324MPa.
Improves the flexural strength of composites by specifically showing the inclusion of filler.
• With the addition of fillers, impact strength has also increased. The impact strength of
153.43kj/m2 is improved by 6% Nano clay.
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