Development of Chow Model for Tensile Modulus of Polymer Nanocomposites Assuming the Interphase Region and Particle Arrangement

Abstract: In this study, the conventional Chowmodel for the tensile modulus of polymer composites containingfully aligned particles is simplified and developed for polymernanocomposites, taking into account the effects of interphaseand particle arrangement. The results obtained from thedeveloped model are compared to the experimental results ofseveral samples containing spherical, layered, and cylindricalnanoparticles. The predictions of the developed model are ingood agreement with the experimental data, whereas thecalculations of the original model deviate. The moduli ofnanocomposites reinforced with spherical nanoparticles depend onthe properties of the interphase alone. Additionally, a lowvolume fraction of the interphase eliminates the effect ofmatrix Poisson’s ratio on the moduli of nanocompositescontaining layered and cylindrical nanofillers. These resultsdemonstrate the important role of the interphase in themechanical behavior of polymer nanocomposites.