Study of sandwich effect on nanoclay modified polyester resin GFR face sheet laminates

This paper investigates the influence of nanoclay content on flexural, impact and water absorption properties of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) and FRP face sheet sandwich laminates with polystyrene foam core. Four different combinations of FRP composites (0, 2, 4 and 6 wt% of nano clay) have been prepared by hand lay-up manufacturing techniques (HL) and they have been investigated for the same to obtain the best combination. Further, based on the best combination obtained, two different (0 and 4 wt%) sandwich laminates are prepared to make relative comparison among various laminates. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results have been obtained from the FRP samples, where the nanoclay has indicated that, the mode of dispersion and intergallery spacing of the layered clay. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has given morphological picture of the FRP fracture samples. The results of the study show that, the flexural, impact and water absorption properties of the nano polyester sandwich laminate have been greatly increased at 4% of nanoclay loading.