Fibre reinforced organic rectorite/unsaturated polyester composites

Abstract Three series of glass fibre (F) reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP)/organic rectorite (OREC) (F/UP/OREC) composites were manufactured by selecting two types of fibres, different gelation time of UP matrix and different content of OREC. The morphologies of F/UP/OREC composites were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The dispersion of OREC in the cured UP matrix was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanical properties of UP/OREC and F/UP/OREC composites were evaluated. Additionally, the hot–wet resistance and alkali resistance of UP/OREC and F/UP/OREC composites were investigated. The mechanical properties and the resistance to hot–wet and alkali of UP composites can be improved by adding appropriate OREC without reference to the gelation time of UP matrix or the type of F. The maximum mechanical properties of UP composites can be obtained by adding 2 wt% OREC due to the high stiffness and uniform dispersion of OREC.