The degradation of mechanical properties in halloysite nanoclay-polyester nanocomposites exposed in seawater environment

Polyester based polymers are extensively used in aggressive marine environments; however inadequate data available on the effects of the seawater on the polyester based nanocomposites mechanical properties. This paper reports the effect of seawater absorption on the mechanical properties degradation of halloysite nanoclay-polyester nanocomposites. Results confirmed that the addition of halloysite nanoclay into polyester matrix was found to increase seawater uptake and reduce mechanical properties compared to monolithic polyester. The maximum decrease in microhardness, tensile, flexural properties and impact toughness were observed in case of 1 wt% nanoclay. The microhardness decreased from 107 HV to 41.7 HV (61% decrease). The Young’s modulus decreased from 0.6 GPa to 0.4 GPa (decrease 33%). The flexural modulus decreased from 0.6 GPa to 0.34 GPa (43% decrease). The impact toughness dropped from 0.71 kJ/m2 to 0.48 kJ/m2 (32% decrease). Interestingly, the fracture toughness K1C increased with the addition of halloysite nanoclay due to plasticization effect of the resin matrix. SEM images revealed the significant reduction in mechanical properties in case of 1 wt% reinforcement which is attributed to the degradation of the nanoclay-matrix interface influenced by seawater absorption and agglomeration of halloysite nanoclay.