Evaluation of elastic modulus of polymer matrix nanocomposites

A new model to evaluate the elastic modulus of polymer nanocomposites is developed with emphasising on the role of inclusion/matrix interphase. The new model can be applied to polymer nanocomposites reinforced by inclusions with different shapes including spherical, cylindrical, and platelet. After validating the new model using experimental and FEA results, the effects of several parameters such as inclusion shape and modulus, d-spacing, and matrix properties on the elastic modulus of nanocomposites are investigated.