Influence of Nanoclay on the Durability of Woven Carbon/Epoxy Composites Subjected to Ultraviolet Radiation

Effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on mechanical and thermal properties of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites (CFRC) were investigated in this study. Composites samples used for this study were fabricated using an SC-15 resin system modified with 1, 2, and 3 wt% loading of montmorillonite nanoclay (MMT; Nanomer®1.28E) and 8 harness satin weave carbon fiber reinforcements. Fabricated samples were UV conditioned using QUV/SE, an accelerated weathering chamber. Mechanical properties were characterized through quasi-static and dynamic compression, and flexural tests. Viscoelastic properties were determined through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Results show an increase in mechanical properties up to 56% for 2 wt% samples at room temperature, and an overall decrease in mechanical properties after conditioning. Viscoelastic properties, such as glass transition temperature (Tg ), increased with nanoclay content for room temperature. However, 2 and 3 wt% samples showed a decrease in Tg after condit...