The degradation of mechanical properties in halloysite nanoclay-polyester nanocomposites exposed in seawater environment.

Saharudin, Mohd Shahneel; Wei, Jiacheng; Shyha, Islam; Inam, Fawad

Abstract

Polyester based polymers are extensively used in aggressive marine environments; however, inadequate data is available on the effects of the seawater on the polyester based nanocomposites mechanical properties. This paper reports the effect of seawater absorption on the mechanical properties degradation of halloysite nanoclay-polyester nanocomposites. Results confirmed that the addition of halloysite nanoclay into polyester matrix was found to increase seawater uptake and reduce mechanical properties compared to monolithic polyester. The maximum decreases in microhardness, tensile and flexural properties, and impact toughness were observed in case of 1 wt% nanoclay. The microhardness decreased from 107 HV to 41.7 HV (61% decrease). Young's modulus decreased from 0.6 GPa to 0.4 GPa (33% decrease). The flexural modulus decreased from 0.6 GPa to 0.34 GPa (43% decrease). The impact toughness dropped from 0.71 kJ/m2 to 0.48 kJ/m2 (32% decrease). Interestingly, the fracture toughness KIC increased with the addition of halloysite nanoclay due to the plasticization effect of the resin matrix. SEM images revealed the significant reduction in mechanical properties in case of 1 wt% reinforcement which is attributed to the degradation of the nanoclay-matrix interface influenced by seawater absorption and agglomeration of halloysite nanoclay.

Citation

SAHARUDIN, M.S., WEI, J., SHYHA, I. and INAM, F. 2016. The degradation of mechanical properties in halloysite nanoclay-polyester nanocomposites exposed in seawater environment. Journal of nanomaterials [online], 2016, article ID 2604631. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/2604631

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 30, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Dec 4, 2016
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2016
• Deposit Date: Mar 11, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 14, 2022
• Journal: Journal of Nanomaterials
• Print ISSN: 1687-4110
• Electronic ISSN: 1687-4129
• Publisher: Hindawi
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2016
• Article Number: 2604631
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/2604631
• Keywords: Polyester based polymers; Marine environments; Seawater; Nanocomposites; Halloysite nanoclay
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1616321