M.M Shokrieh - Professor
A.R Kefayati - Graduated student, Center of Excellence in Experimental Solid Mechanics and Dynamics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iran Composites Institute, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak,۶۸۴۶-۱۳۱۱۴, Tehran, Iran
M Chitsazzadeh - Graduated studen, Nanocomposites Research Laboratory, Iran Composites Institute

Enhancing some mechanical properties of polymers by addition of nanoclay has attracted many attentions. In this paper, the effect of adding modified nanoclay (Cloisite 30B) to epoxy resin (ML- 506) on mechanical properties (Tensile, Compression and flexural) of their nanocomposites by applying a new fabrication method is studied. To fabricate the clay/epoxy nanocomposites, nanoclay and epoxy polymer are initially mixed by the aid of high speed mechanical stirrer and then the ultrasonication was utilized for complete dispersion of nanoclay. D-spacing and Dispersion of nanoclay layers in epoxy are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) respectively. The results indicate that d-spacing of layers are increased from 18.42 A° to 42.28 A° and an intercalated nanocomposite is obtained. The nanoclay is added from 1-5 wt% (stepwise 1 wt%) to epoxy and the mechanical properties are investigated. The results of mechanical examinations show that tension and flexural moduli and compression strength of nanocomposites are increased compared with those of pure epoxy. Also, the results reveal that as more Cloisite 30B is added to epoxy, the brittleness of nanocomposite is intensified and failure strains are decreased. Moreover, tensile and flexural strengths tend to reduce due to possible agglomeration and porosities

Nanocomposite, Nanoclay, Epoxy, Mechanical properties