Citation

Kabakov D, Tate J, Koo J. J. Fire Sci. 2011; 29(5): 387-402.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0734904110396160

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Phenolic resin was modified using nanoclay to improve flammability/thermal properties. High-shear and planetary centrifugal (PC) mixing techniques were used to blend nanoclay into phenolic. This was followed by vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding to manufacture glass-reinforced nanocomposites. Loadings of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 wt% of nanoclay were processed using both techniques. The degree of dispersion was analyzed using scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. Flammability/thermal property was evaluated using mass loss calorimeter. Mechanical properties such as flexural strength and modulus, compressive strength, interlaminar shear strength, and tensile strength and modulus were evaluated. It is concluded that the cost-effective PC mixing technique can be used in manufacturing nanocomposites to enhance flammability/thermal property without sacrificing mechanical properties.