Influence of nanoparticle dispersibility on hygrothermal properties of HNT-GFRP/BFRP nanocomposites

In the nanocomposite, the dispersion and bonding properties of the nanoparticles at the interfaces were major factors that were related to the physical properties of the final product. Nanoparticle aggregation mainly occurs in the dispersion process between nanoparticles and a polymer. In addition, re-aggregation phenomenon generates by large amounts of pores during curing process. In this case, it was necessary to break the physical bonds, such as the attraction between the initial nanoparticles, and achieve a smooth chemical bonding with the polymer. In this study, the effect of halloysite nanotube (HNT) dispersion on the interfacial bonding was compared and analyzed in $70^{\circ }\mathrm{\text{C}}$ high temperature water environment over 30 days by adding 0.5 wt.% HNT to glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) and basalt fiber reinforced plastic (BFRP). As a result, the HNT contributed to disturbing the moisture absorption rate. It has great effect on thinner lamination part. Moreover, the thicker the lamination, the less the HNT re-aggregation occurred on the curing process. This phenomenon showed a uniform dispersion in the entire laminate area. The weight recovery rate by moisture absorption was high in the HNT-glass fiber (GF), because structural relationship between HNT and GF are larger than in epoxy resin.