In the present study, the influence of Modified Halloysite Nanoclay Tubes (MHNT's) and Poly-Methyl-Metacrylate (PMMA) on the mechanical and thermal properties of Epoxy/PMMA/MHNT hybrid nanocomposites have been investigated. Different wt% of MHNT's was dispersed in epoxy resin and then added to dissolved-PMMA to obtain three phase hybrid nanocomposites. The composites were characterized by using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectrometry (FT-IR), Thermo-gravimetric analysis, tensile test, three point bending test and fracture toughness test. SEM images revealed that PMMA forms an immiscible phase in epoxy matrix. XRD patterns revealed that MHNT's were in fully exfoliated state in hybrid nanocomposites. The MHNT's provides good ductility to Epoxy-PMMA blends by forming flexible interface, results in significant improvement in the elongation at break and hence tensile strength. The values of tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, fracture toughness and thermal stability showed significant improvement compared to neat epoxy. Hybrid composites exhibited better properties than conventional resin blend and nanocomposites due to positive divergence generated from the combination of two dissimilar toughening mechanisms.
Centrifugal Cast tubes have been produced with ZA 8, ZA 12 and ZA 27 alloys with different rotational speeds of the mould (Viz. 400, 600 and 800 rpm). From the past research work, it was understood that cast tubes for ZA 8 and ZA 12 alloys with good mechanical properties were produced, with the mould rotation at 600 rpm. This observation was explained without the addition of refiners. In the present work, a uniform cylinder with good mechanical properties was produced with ZA8 alloy at 400 rpm only. This was due to the influence of refiner 1% Al-Ti-B2 along with low aluminium content and lower rotational speed of the mould. With higher rotational speeds of the mould, increase in the composition of aluminium and refiner reduce solidification rate of the melt forming irregular shaped cast tube with ZA12 and ZA 27 alloys.
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