Water barrier properties of nanoclay filled sisal fibre reinforced epoxy composites

This paper deals with the water mass uptake of nanoclay and sisal fibre reinforced polymer composites. Nanoclays at 1 wt.%, 3 wt.% and 5 wt.% were filled in sisal fibre reinforced epoxy polymer and placed in a water medium. The result shows a dramatic decrease in water mass uptake of nanoclay filled composites. The water transmission rate (WTR) for 5 wt.% nanoclay filled composites reduced by three times when compared to unfilled composites. Hence the role of nanoclay on reducing water uptake is studied and results are compared with microclay filled composites. Tensile, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and wear studies were conducted for these composites before and after placing in the water medium. The properties decreased much for microclay filled and unfilled composites, however they improved significantly for nanoclay filled composites. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.