Effect of silane-modified nanoclay on the wear behavior of a chopped strand mat-epoxy composite

The effect of silane-modified Na+-montmorillonite (S-MMT) nanoclay on the wear behavior of E-glass chopped strand mat (CSM)/epoxy composite was investigated. The surface of Na+-MMT was organically modified with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxy silane (3-APTMS). The modified nanoclays were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Different weight percentages of S-MMT (1-7 wt.% at a step of 2 wt.%) were dispersed in epoxy using mechanical stirring and ultrasonication techniques. The S-MMT/epoxy nanocomposites were then used to manufacture the multiscale composites using hand-layup route. The friction and wear behavior of composites under dry sliding condition (distance of 1000 m) were investigated using a pin-on-disk wear tester at 20 N normal load. The results showed that at filler content 5 wt.% of S-MMT, wear rate and friction coefficient of fibrous composite were improved significantly. Furthermore, the silanization of Na+-MMT reduced the wear rate and friction coefficient of final composite compared to that specimen containing the same amount of unmodified Na+-MMT. In conclusion, this study suggests that the addition of S-MMT nanoclay is a promising method to improve the wear properties of the fibrous composite structures.

Effect of silane-modified nanoclay on the wear behavior of a chopped strand mat-epoxy composite Keywords:

Fibrous composite , Nanoclay , Silanization , Wear rate , Coefficient of friction