Flexural and Morphological Properties of Epoxy/Glass Fibre/Silane-Treated Organo-montmorillonite Composites

Organo-montmorillonite (ommt) was treated with 3-amino-propyltrimethoxysilane. epoxy (e) composites reinforced with glass fibber (gf) and ommt were prepared with the hand-lay up technique. the flexural properties of the e/gf/ommt composites were characterised by the three-point bending flexural test. the flexural modulus and strength of the e/gf composites were improved by the addition of silane-treated ommt. the exfoliation of the ommt in the e was studied using x-ray diffraction (xrd). it was found that the ommt silicate layers were exfoliated successfully in the e matrix. the flexural fractured surface morphology of the e/gf/ommt composites was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (sem). it is interesting to note that parts of the silane-treated ommt also adhered to the gf, which can promote better interfacial interaction and wettability between the e and gf