An Investigation of Water Diffusion Behavior into Nanoorganoclay-Epoxy Composites

摘要

Considered as new class of materials having excellent properties resulted from the incorporated nanoorganoclay by the epoxy matrix, the nanoclay-epoxy composites have been applied widely. However, the improved properties can degrade by presence of water in the epoxy matrix, leading to limitation of service life of the material. Diffusion of water having 40 and 60oC in the nanoclay-epoxy composite made by direct mixing process was investigated through immersion test. The strength of the materials was also measured by using the three point bending test. The results showed that the two-stage diffusion process occurred in which diffusivity and saturation was considerablelly influenced by temperature of water. Affect of the organoclay loading on the diffusion behavior was also observed. The mechanical test showed that retention of flexural strength of the materials was observed as long as the immersion time. Insignificant influence of the organoclay loading on this retention was found.