Enhancing Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polyester Composites with Nano Clay Reinforcement

Abstract

This study investigates the fabrication and mechanical properties of polyester composites reinforced with nano clay. Composites were produced using a hand lay-up technique with varying nano clay concentrations (50g, 100g, and 200g), while pure polyester resin served as a control. The mechanical properties, including tensile strength, hardness, and impact resistance, were evaluated, along with the thermal resistance determined through a muffle furnace test. Results demonstrate that increasing the nano clay content significantly improves the thermal and mechanical properties of the composites, surpassing the performance of pure polyester resin. These findings highlight the potential of nano clay as a promising reinforcement for enhancing the properties of polymer composites in various applications.