Zeitschrift für Materialwissenschaften und Ingenieurwesen

This paper reports a first time use of combination of ultrasonication and twin screw extrusion for dispersing Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay in vinylester resin matrix. Two sets of specimens of MMT/vinylester, namely, Type-1 using ultrasonication and Type-2 using combination of ultrasonication and twin screw extrusion were processed for comparative studies. XRD studies showed superior exfoliation of MMT in vinylester in Type-2 specimens compared to that of Type -1. DSC and TGA studies showed superior glass transition temperature and lower thermal degradation for Type-2. Based on these results, 4 wt % MMT/ vinylester / carbon and 4 wt % MMT / vinylester / glass specimens were fabricated using the combination of ultrasonication and screw extrusion. The addition of 4 wt % MMT to vinylester/carbon increased UTS by, flexural strength, interlaminar shear strength and impact strength and fire retardation behaviour. The fractured specimens were studied using SEM.