Processing, Impact Response and Damage Characterisation of Plain-Weave Carbon/Epoxy-Nanoclay Nanocomposites
An organically modified montmorillonite nanoclay, was used to modify a toughened epoxy system using the sonication route. The modified epoxy was then used to fabricate 15-layer plain weave carbon/epoxy laminates using hand-layup followed by vacuum bag moulding. X-ray diffraction studies were carried out to investigate the basal spacing between the clay galleries. The results indicated that an intercalated clay structures was produced. Samples were cut from the laminates and subjected to low-velocity impact loading using an instrumented drop-weight system. Transient responses of the samples were recorded and analysed in terms to load-energy versus time relations. Impact damage was characterised by utilising an ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation system. Results of the study indicated that nanoclay reinforced laminates exhibited better impact performance in terms of higher peak load and reduced damage size than the controlled samples at any given energy level.