Evaluation of Methods for Stiffness Predictions of Polymer Based nanocomposites: Theoretical Background and Examples of Applications (PCL-clay nanocomposites)

L. LUDUEÑA; V. BALSAMO; A. VÁZQUEZ; V. ALVAREZ

Nanomaterials: Properties, Preparation and Processes

NOVA Science Publishers

Año: 2010; p. 341 - 365

In the present work, the modelling of the mechanical properties of polycaprolactonelayered silicates nanocomposites was investigated. Nanocomposites prepared with two different clays (modified and unmodified montmorillonite) and several filler contents were used in order to correlate experimental Young´s modulus values from uniaxial tensile tests with several different models. Since the Young´s modulus values of the nanocomposites are strongly dependent on their components properties (matrix, filler and their interface), the filler aspect ratio, the dispersion degree, the orientation and the exfoliation/intercalation relationship; models that include each one of these parameters related with nanocomposites were used. Parameters belonging to traditional models (Halpin-Tsai) were also analyzed but not good agreement with experimental values was obtained. Best correlation was achieved considering a three-phase model which includes the matrix, the exfoliated clay platelets and the intercalated region.