**3. Influence of particle sizes and loading ratio of fillers on polymer composite materials**

Authors have extensively investigated the effect of particle sizes and the addition ratio of fillers polymer composite properties [10, 15, 18, 27]. Their results proved that the loading of filler at different particle sizes and volumes often has different effects on composite, most times improving one property and harmfully affecting another in most cases [10, 15, 27]. These factors have been considered, and the positivity aspect has been capitalized, and work around the negative aspect through innovative moves

#### *Influence of Loading Nanoclay on Properties of the Polymer-based Composite DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108478*

and techniques. These factors led to much research to simplify the procedure for synthesizing and characterizing the fiber/filler-reinforced composite and authenticate the improvement in properties and the mechanism that governs the performance for repeatability.

Yue et al. [15] confirmed that the concentration effect of filler on polymer-based composite by establishing the amount of filler incorporated in the polymer composite strongly determines its thermal properties. Furthermore, Fröhlich et al. [9] and Donnet [23] provided information on the characterization and reinforcement loading effect on polymer-based composite, which provided an understanding of the kind of filler loaded in rubber. Nanoclay particle sizes, irrespective of chemical and morphological properties, proved to have dominated effect on polymer composite where clay is used as reinforcement [10, 28, 29]. Laouchedi et al. [28] investigated the effect of locally produced particle sizes and loading rate on epoxy composite material's physical and mechanical properties. According to this study, the loading of more significant size particles damagingly influences composite properties. However, epoxy composite properties were improved after loading smaller particle sizes and loading of 2%wt. Similarly, several studies results are consistent with what Laouchedi et al. reported, proving that incorporating smaller particle sizes and loading of nanoclay are viable ways to produce composite material with improved properties. The discovery and loading of this filler with suitable loading concentrations and particle sizes have given birth to different composite materials adopted for different applications.

Aside from the dispersion of nanoclay in the matrix to enhance polymer composite, nanoclay has been used as an interfacial treatment agent for natural fiber. This filler treatment eventually resulted in improving natural fiber-reinforced composite. Furthermore, techniques like the infusion of nanoclay of nanoclay-layered mineral silicate on the printed layer to develop gear material have been explored [30, 31], and this chapter will provide information on how these techniques, clay particle sizes, and concentrations affect polymer composite properties.
