An energy-based equivalent inclusion for the determination of nanocomposite behavior

Abstract

Achieving remarkable mechanical properties for very low levels of reinforcement, nanocomposites are nowadays a new class of materials with high potential. Thanks to the stiffening aspect of the interface region between the matrix and the inclusions, nanocomposites often exhibit improved mechanical and physical properties compared to the conventional composites reinforced with micron-sized particles. This paper presents a strategy based on the introduction of an equivalent inclusion phase that allows managing the ellipsoidal morphology of inhomogeneous inclusion nanophase in the determination of estimates for the homogenized elastic moduli. Application to clay-polymer nanocomposites is presented in the framework of the dilute scheme. The latter gives theoretical estimates in good agreement with experimental results reported in the literature.

Keywords

• ellipsoidal inclusions
• interface clay platelets
• micromechanics
• nanocomposites