ABSTRACT

In this study, three different polymer composites were developed using polyester resin with clay, cotton wool and fiber sponge. Clay-polymer composites were produced at various formulations of 20:80%, 15:85%, 10:90%, 7:93% and 5:95%. The polymer composite produced using cotton and fiber sponge were developed using a definite percentage composition of 2%. The polyester resin was mixed with the predetermined composition of the additives and thereafter casted into the mould using an open moulding technique. The composites were allowed to set after a short time before demoulding. The test samples,of various compositions were subjected to different tests to determine their mechanical properties such as tensile strength, hardness and impact strength using standard experimental procedures. The results obtained showed that the tensile strength improved from 39kgf/cnr to 39.8kgf/cln2 when fine clay particles was used as composite material. In the same way impact energy showed improvement of 8.6 Joules. The hardness properties 80:70 HRB in the same trend. It was also found that the percentage composition of the material had significant effect on the mechanical properties obtained and optimum mechanical properties required for structural application ofpolymer composites were obtained in 20:15% formulation. Based on the findings obtained in this study, it is therefore recommended that fine clay particle should be used for the development of high performance polymer composited for structural application in engineering services.