Bio-based polymer nanocomposites from UPE/EML blends and nanoclay: Development, experimental characterization and limits to synergistic performance

Bio-based nanocomposites, defined as blends of petroleum and vegetable oil resins reinforced with nanoparticles, can lead to synergistic material property enhancement; and evaluation of their performance and limits can allow for their optimal design. An array of 12 nanocomposite designs with up to 30% epoxidized methyl linseedate (EML) and up to 5.0 wt.% nanoclay in unsaturated polyester were manufactured using a solvent-based technique. Mechanical, thermal and diffusion properties of resulting composites were experimentally characterized. Reduction of mechanical and transient properties due to bio-resin blending were recovered by the addition of nanoclay for EML contents of up to 20%, while 30% EML composites showed little improvement. Systems with 2.5 wt.% nanoclay and up to 20% EML showed optimal performance with balanced properties and processing ease. The developed eco-friendly bio-based nanocomposites exhibit good stiffness–toughness balance along with improvements in other mechanical and transient properties, thereby showing potential for use in structural applications.