Clay‐reinforced epoxy nanocomposites

Epoxy/clay nanocomposites were prepared using a conventional diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy, cured with diethyltoluene diamine (DETDA). The nanocomposites were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis. A modest increase in glass transition temperature and significant increase in storage modulus were achieved as a result of incorporation of clay. The formation of nanocomposite was confirmed by wide‐angle X‐ray analysis. The higher impact strength of the nanocomposite compared the DGEBA matrix was explained in terms of with the morphology observed by SEM. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry