Property enhancement of epoxy resin using a combination of amine-terminated butadiene–acrylonitrile copolymer and nanoclay

The present work investigates the effect of organomodified nanoclay (ZW1) and butadiene–acrylonitrile copolymer terminated with amine group (ATBN copolymer) on the properties of epoxy resin (EP). The impact strength (IS) and the critical stress intensity factor ( KC) values of EP containing 1% nanoclay increased approximately by 200% and 75%, respectively, in relation to neat EP. Moreover, hybrid composites containing 1% or 2% nanoclay and ATBN showed improved mechanical properties in relation with unmodified EP. The magnification and analysis of the Fourier-transform infrared spectra showed an increase in the peak height of 3338 cm-1 due to polymeric modifier incorporation. This finding might be explained by the reaction between modifier or hardener amine groups and the unreacted part of EP cured at room temperature. Hybrid composite containing 2% Nanobent ZW1 and 5% ATBN exhibited synergistic effect in terms of tensile adhesive strength toward composites with one modifier. Moreover, scanning electron micrographs showed more elongated and leaf-like structure for hybrid compositions, explaining the enhancement of IS and KC values of the tested composites.