International Journal of Aerospace Sciences 2016, 4(1): 9-13 DOI: 10.5923/j.aerospace.20160401.02 Performance of Epoxy and Nanodiamond Exfoliated Montmorillonite Nanocomposite Ayesha Kausar Nanoscience and Technology Department, National Centre For Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan Abstract This report investigates the possibility of improving the mechanical properties of triglycidyl para-amino phenol (TGAP) epoxy through dispersion of nanodiamond (ND) and montmorillonite-nanodiamond (MMT-ND) filler. The montmorillonite was first intercalated with octadecylamine followed by nanodiamond intercalation to form MMT-ND. Both the pristine nanodiamond as well as MMT-ND was employed as filler to form nanocomposite with triglycidyl para-amino phenol. In this case, diethyltoluene diamine was used as hardener. It was found that the presence of nanofiller steadily decreased the β-transition temperature of TGAP/ND and TGAP/MMT-ND systems. Atomic force micrographs have shown fine particle dispersion in nanocomposite. The effect of filler concentration on mechanical properties of epoxy resins was also analyzed. TGAP/ND 1-5 system showed increase in modulus from 1676 to 3074 MPa, while greater modulus increase was seen for TGAP/MMT-ND 1-5 system in the range of 2388-3408 MPa. The balanced properties justified the application of novel epoxy nanocomposites in aviation industry. Keywords Epoxy, Montmorillonite, Nanodiamond, Intercalation, Modulus 1. Introduction In aircraft and propulsion system, the main attention of airplane designers was on the achievement of lightweight materials [1]. Because of larger part to limited ability of propulsion systems, absolute minimum weight was essential for practical flight from 1903 to 1930. Subsequently, the basic need for material choice in both aircraft and engines is strength to weight ratio. While the concern remains to be first order of significance, light weight is not only sufficient but necessary. Recent criteria for design is very complex and thus new design routes as well as increased constituents and processing routes are required by winning products [2]. A well-recognized family of thermosetting polymers is epoxy resins. They have been extensively employed in numerous industrial fields mainly high performance adhesives, coatings and other engineering applications due to their remarkable features. Moreover, the cured epoxy resin possesses low impact strength, low fracture toughness, poor resistance to crack initiation, and growth. Over the past decade numerous investigations have been carried out to find route for epoxy matrix toughening especially by the addition of second phase mainly elastomeric or rigid constituents [3-5]. Currently, it was found that the nanoclay fillers have high modulus (170 GPa) and high aspect ratio (200-1000). * Corresponding author: asheesgreat@yahoo.com (Ayesha Kausar) Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/aerospace Copyright © 2016 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved Owing to their excellent properties they have developed a new route for enhancement of mechanical potential such as impact resistance and toughness of cured epoxy matrix [6]. Due to their low cost and ease of availability, clays have fascinated remarkable interest. Additionally, the probability of achievement of properties with nanoclay was achieved with microscopic fillers. For aerospace applications and automotive industries (in which composite material density is required), low filler content is particularly needed [7]. Therefore, the low filler content is the demand of perfect structure of polymer layered silicate nanocomposites. Thus, clay act as conventional filler than that of exfoliated nanocomposite. In order to restrict the cracks propagation and increase the surface contact between clay and matrix, uniform distribution of clay may occur in matrix. The untreated nanoclay mainly montmorillonite (MMT) is comprised of silicate layer stacks. Each of stack is about 1 nm in thickness and is hydrophilic naturally. The silicate layer stacks are not appropriate for employment as filler in most commonly utilized epoxy resin which is hydrophobic [8]. Consequently, the montmorillonite clay is usually altered organically by an ion exchange process in which the cations are replaced by anions (as replacement of quaternary ammonium ions with long alkyl chains). By this route the spaces between clay layers increases which makes them organophilic. The epoxy resin intercalation in the preparation of epoxy/clay nanocomposites is strongly facilitated by ion exchange method. In order to fulfill the desired enhancement in mechanical features of these composites, it is essential to further separate the clay layers