Mechanical and Impact Strength of Nanoclay-Filled Composites: A Short Review

This review surveys the research work published in the field of nanoclay (montmorillonite, MMT)-filled composites with particular reference to the effect of nanoclay (NC) introduction on the tensile, flexural, impact and compressive strength of nanocomposites. The matrix most frequently used in NC-filled composites is epoxy, although other thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer materials have also been used. To make MMT more compatible with these matrices, they have been often subjected to organophilic modification with the use of organic cations, therefore indicated as organo-montmorillonites (OMMT). NC-filled composites are also fabricated with the most common reinforcements, such as carbon, glass, Kevlar and basalt, and more recently also biomatrices with natural fibers have also been proposed. A few studies on ceramic matrices have also been reported. The review concentrates on the maximum level of improvement obtained in the referred studies by the introduction of NC in the bare matrix or in the fiber reinforced composites, with respect to tensile, flexural, impact and compression strength, with the idea of disposing a database in comparing the best values obtained by nanoclay introduction against the benchmark composite.