A study of the mechanical behaviour on injection moulded nanoclay enhanced polypropylene composites

This paper presents the results of a current study on the mechanical properties of a polypropylene matrix resin, enhanced using nanoclay filler with a special silane treatment. The study was centred on the effect of adding nanoclay and of water immersion on static and fatigue behaviour. Specimens filled up to 3% in weight were produced by an injection moulding process. The filler improved significantly bending quasi static and dynamic stiffness, and also marginally the bending strength. Surprisingly, the immersion in water for 40 days increases the bending stiffness and the bending strength. The addition of 3% w/w nanoclay promoted a negative effect in Gc. All material configurations exhibited a faster and intense stress release from the first cycles of fatigue. The 3% nano-enhanced composites exhibited higher fatigue strength than unfilled materials.