Investigation on effect of nanoclay particles on curing of unsaturatedpolyester resin and evaluation synthesized nanocomposite properties

In this work, Unsaturated-clay nanocomposite (UP-Clay) prepared by a new method of insitu synthesis. The Cloisite ۱۵A was used as nanofiller and isophtalic resin as matrix. In this newmethod, the nanocomposite prepared during synthesis of UP oligomers. UP monomers diffuseinto the interlayer spacing of Cloisite ۱۵A easily. Occurring condensation reaction between UPmonomers leads to delamination of layered Cloisite ۱۵A. In conventional methods for thepreparation of nanocomposites, such as direct mixing, high viscosity and oligomers with highvolume is the biggest barrier to dispersion of nanoclay in matrix that this causes localaggregation of nanoclay. In this new way was tried to overcome these problem. Condensationreaction in the presence of Cloisite ۱۵A causes the functional group of surfactants of Cloisite۱۵A reacts with UP monomers, In order to achieve a strong interaction between the twocomponents [۱,۲].In this work, according to the results of XRD and SEM, dispersion of Cloisite ۱۵A in matrixwas increased for UP-nanocomposite prepared by in situ method. Iso- thermal curing of UP-Claynanocomposite prepared by in situ method and pure UP resin system was performed in ۵۵, ۶۵and ۷۵. The results revealed decrease in the final conversion of curing with Cloisite ۱۵A loading.Tensile teste was performed on UP-Clay nanocomposites prepared by both methods and pure UPresin. The result revealed increase in modulus and strength with Cloisite ۱۵A loading. Thisincrease was higher UP-clay nanocomposite prepared by in situ method. Optical image obtainedfrom uncured UP-Clay nanocomposite prepared by both method revealed good stability ofCloisite ۱۵A in matrix after nanocomposite storage for a long time, this relate strong interactionbetween two component.

Keywords:

Nanocomposite , Unsaturated Polyester , Cloisite ۱۵A , Mechanical properties