Effect of Clay (Vermiculite) as Reinforcement in Mechanical Properties Epoxy Matrix Composite Materials

The objective of this project is to characterize the mechanical properties from tensile test experiment on vermiculite as reinforcement in the epoxy matrix composite as affected by the plate-like shapes, composition and also the aspect ratios. Two most extreme different aspect ratios 22.70 and 5.74 from 150μm and 75μm and three different percentage composition of vermiculite 0%, 10% and 25% will be tested. Rarely research regarding vermiculite as reinforcement in plate-like shapes. Some background studies regarding the reinforcement types, matrix, composite, epoxy and vermiculite was done during the early semester. The crucial part in this project is to fabricate the tensile test specimen according to the ASTM standard for composite. Some of the steps are grind and sieve the vermiculite into several classes of meshes, view the vermiculite using Scanning Electron Microscopy to observe the average aspect ratios, select two most extreme different aspect ratios, fabricate the mold, calculate and convert the weight percent to mass in grams, mix the vermiculite, epoxy resin and hardener based on the calculation, spray release agent onto the mold, pour the mixture, cool it in room temperature and lastly do tensile test. The findings are, reinforcing effect is better for high aspect ratio 22.69 rather than small 5.74 represents by the tensile strength because of the elongation effect, where for stiffness criteria, it is better to choose the lower aspect ratio 5.74 rather than 22.69, for Young’s Modulus or elasticity criteria, the lower aspect ratio 5.74 is better, moreover in higher percent composition that is 25% and lastly, for toughness criteria, it is affected by the incompatibility surface properties criteria and is better to choose the lower aspect ratio 5.74 to maintain its toughness.