An expanded polymeric web includes between about 0.1 and about 70 weight percent of a compound comprising nanoparticles. The expanded polymeric web includes between about 30 and about 99.9 weight percent of a generally melt processable polymer. The web also includes between about 0.0 and about 50 weight percent of a compatibilizer. The expanded polymeric web comprises a first region and a second region, the first region undergoing a substantially molecular deformation and the second region initially undergoing a substantially geometric deformation when the polymeric web is subjected to an applied elongation along at least one axis, and wherein the expanded polymeric web has a greater propagation tear resistance than an expanded polymeric web of the melt processable polymer alone.
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