Mechanical Properties of Biobased Nanocomposites from Unsaturated Polyester Resin / Epoxidized Palm Oil Blends and Nanoclay

摘要

New bio-based nanocomposites were studied by blending unsaturated polyester resin (UPE) with epoxidized palm oil (EPO) together with layered silicate (nanoclay), MMT. The MMT concentrations were varied (0 and lphr) and epoxidized palm oil content were introduced up to 30 wt% in the unsaturated polyester resins. The MMT was sonicated with acetone for two hours and followed by adding UPE. The MMT, acetone and UPE solution then were dried on hot plate for 3 hours and followed by vacuum oven for 24 hours. Then, the EPO and styrene were added to the solution. The sample was cured in an oven at 100°C (2 hours) and followed by post curing at 160°C (2 hours). Benzoyl peroxide was used as an initiator in the curing process to form composites. Mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were experimentally characterized. It was found that the mechanical and thermal properties of the resulting composites decreased with the addition of EPO, however the reduction was recovered by adding nanoclay. Composites with lphr of nanoclay inclusions resulted in improved the mechanical properties. The obtained results are promising to be used for structural applications.