Mechanical Characteristics of Nano-Filler and Cellulose Fibre-Reinforced Epoxy Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this paper, epoxy nanocomposites reinforced with recycled cellulose fibres (RCF) and nano-clay platelets (30B) have been fabricated and investigated. The influences of RCF/nano-clay dispersion on the mechanical and fracture properties of these composites have been characterized in terms of flexural strength, fracture toughness, impact-fracture and impact strength. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the microstructures of these materials. It was found that the presence of RCF resulted in significant increase in fracture toughness, impact strength, impact toughness and flexural modulus but moderate increase in flexural strength. However, the influence of nanoclay on flexural strengths was found to be modest or insignificant which could be due to the poor dispersion of nano-fillers and the existence of voids within the samples. Addition of RCF was found to increase the porosities of all composites.