Mechanical and morphological properties of polycarbonate and montmorillonite filled epoxy hybrid composites

Abstract

Abstract This work investigates the effect of polycarbonate (PC) and montmorillonite (MMT) content on the properties and morphology of epoxy resin (EP). Izod impact strength (IS), flexural strength and critical stress intensity factor ( K C ) were estimated as function of modifiers content. The values of IS and K C parameters increased by respectively 150% and 90% with the addition of 5 wt % PC. Hybrid compositions containing 1 wt % MMT and 5 wt % PC exhibited the best mechanical properties. Indeed, the addition of 1 wt % MMT to EP modified with 5 wt % PC caused enhancement of IS values by 100% in comparison with neat EP. SEM micrographs revealed that the enhancement mechanism of mechanical properties might be due to extensive yielding of EP associated with the formation of stratified elongated structures. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed that the addition of nanoclay to EP resulted in a decrease of the glass transition temperature. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011