(181ba) Analysis and Review of Micro and Nano-Structured Polymeric Materials

Conventional particulate polymer composites, often called filled polymers, are of noteworthy commercial importance as materials in industrial applications. Examples include talc-filled polypropylene for automotive applications, mineral-filled epoxies for electrical insulation applications and mineral-filled unsaturated polyesters for sanitary applications, also called cultured marble. Often the main function of the mineral filler is to reduce cost. Recently, a new approach has been investigated. Conventional composites are based on microscale reinforcement. However, dispersion of the inorganic filler at the nanometer scale has led to significant improvements in the properties of polymer nanocomposites. Polymer clay nanocomposites have received considerable attention since the polymer properties can be greatly improved by the presence of nanosized clay particles. Polymer-layered silicate (PLS) nanocomposites show high stiffness, strength and excellent barrier properties with far less filler content compared to conventional glass or mineral filled polymers. Lot of research work have been carried out in different polymer systems like epoxy, polyesteramide, polyimide, polyurethane and polypropylene. Only few studies have been reported based on clay – unsaturated polyester systems. This study is focused on polyester-clay nanocomposites. Unsaturated polyester is a thermosetting polymeric material, widely used because of its good mechanical and thermal properties. The nano-clay reinforcement influences the tensile and fracture toughness of the polyester nanocomposites. The work presents the assessment of mechanical and tribological properties and highlights the alkali resistance of polyester clay nanocomposites. There are a number of clays that can be used for reinforcement of polymers, while, only bentonite and montmorillonite have been considered in the present work.