MODELING OF TENSILE MODULUS OFPOLYOLEFIN-LAYERED SILICATE NANOCOMPOSITES: MODIFIED HALPIN TSAI MODELS

摘要

The modified forms of Halpin Tsai model for the prediction of tensile modulus of polyolefin-layered silicate nanocomposites are discussed. The assumptions used in the conventional model like perfect alignment of the particulate filler, uniform shape and size of the filler particles as well as interfacial adhesion between the polymer and filler surface do not hold true in the case of polymer nanocomposites especially using polyole-finic matrices. The modulus reduction factors suggested for polar nanocomposites are also dependent on the polymer nature as well as filler morphology in the composite, thus, are not applicable directly to the polyolefin composites. A master curve could be generated for polyolefin nanocomposites which provided more accurate modulus reduction factor value based on the average aspect ratio of the filler. Incorporation of the effects of incomplete exfoliation as well as filler misalignment though improved the prediction capabilities of the model, however, it still did not match the predictions generated from finite element analysis or TEM analysis. The effect of absence of adhesion forces at the interface was incorporated by suggesting simple modification to the modified Halpin Tsai model equation. Master curves could be generated which predicted the relative tensile modulus of the composites accurately if the value of average aspect ratio was known.