Impact of Nanoclay on the Mechanical and Structural Properties of Alkali-treated Abutilon indicum Fiber-reinforced Epoxy Nanocomposites
J. Environ. Nanotechnol., Volume 14, No 2 (June 2025) pp. 541-550
Abstract
This research examines the effect of nanoclay (Cloisite 25A) on the mechanical and structural properties of treated Abutilon indicum fiber-reinforced epoxy nanocomposites. The nanoclay content ranged from 0 wt.% to 4 wt.%, with consistent ratios of epoxy resin and hardener maintained throughout. Composite laminates were produced utilising a hand layup technique and subsequently subjected to compression moulding. The evaluation of mechanical properties, including tensile, flexural, impact, and compressive strengths, was conducted by ASTM standards. The incorporation of nanoclay markedly improved the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite. The tensile strength rose from 39.63 MPa (0% nanoclay) to a maximum of 45.92 MPa at 2 wt.% loading, indicating a 15.87% enhancement. Flexural, impact and compressive strengths exhibited improvements, with impact strength attaining a peak of 0.85 J at 2 wt.% nanoclay, representing a 66.67 % increase. Nevertheless, beyond 2 to 3 wt.% nanoclay loading, a slight reduction in tensile and flexural properties was noted, presumably attributable to nanoparticle agglomeration. Structural morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing improved interfacial bonding and reduced fiber pull-out at lower nanoclay concentrations, which contributed to the enhanced mechanical properties. SEM images also confirmed the agglomeration of nanoclay at 4 wt.% loading. Overall, the study confirms that nanoclay addition up to an optimal level (2 to 3 wt.%) effectively enhances both the mechanical and structural integrity of Abutilon indicum fiber epoxy nanocomposites.
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Reference
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