Experimental investigation on mechanical and microstructural behaviour of GFRP elastomeric nanocomposites

In many industrial applications elastomers are frequently used due to its low cost. In present study the Ethylene propylene diene elastomer (EPDM) was used. Solution intercalation method adopted to synthesize EPDM/OMMT clay nanocomposites using organically modified montmrillonite clay. At different loading levels of clay (2%, 3% and 5% weight) various characterizations such as tensile strength, flexural strength and d-spacing behaviour were performed. X-ray diffraction technique was used to study the d-spacing behaviour of different nanocomposites at 2%, 3% and 5% weight percentage of clay loading level. Clay dispersion in the rubber matrix was observed by scanning electron microscope. Comparative study between pure EPDM specimen and EPDM clay nanocomposite specimen was carried out. Modulus as well as flexural strength value was higher for EPDM clay specimen as compared to pure EPDM specimen.