Epexy/rectorite nanocomposites were prepared successfully by dispersing organically modified rectorite in a kind of epoxy resin．XRD and TEM results indicated that the intercalated and exfoliated structures were observed

and it was found that in composites with lower rectorite contents the rectorite was easier to form exfoliation structurte．FT-IR spectra showed that the reaction between the rectorite and epoxy matrix occurred．At low rectofite contents

the mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites have significant improvements in temas of the impact strength

the breaking elongation and the glass transition temperature compared to the neat epoxy

which indicates that the large surface area of rectorite platelets and their strong interaction with epoxy resin can restrict the motion of polymeric segments．then improve the mechanical and thermal properties．When the rectorite content>0.8 wt％

the properties of nanocomposites become poorer and poorer．It can be explanied as that the exfoliated structure is more desirable in enhancing the properties of nanocomposites

but too nmny platelets of rectorite may destroy the continuity of the matrix．