Research paperEffects of pseudoinclusions containing intercalated Mt platelets on the tensile modulus and strength of Mt/polymer nanocomposites

- The pseudoinclusions including the stacks of multiple intercalated platelets are evaluated.
- The different characteristics of pseudoinclusions are determined.
- The properties of pseudoinclusions are taken into account in the most known models.
- The roles of pseudoinclusions in the tensile modulus and strength of MPNs are evaluated.

Since most montmorillonite (Mt)/polymer nanocomposites (MPNs) do not show complete exfoliation of Mt platelets in the polymer matrix, pseudoinclusions that include stacks of multiple intercalated platelets must be considered. This work studies the influences of the volume fraction, number (N) and thickness (t) of the intercalated Mt platelets as well as the distance between the platelets (s) on the aspect ratio, volume fraction and Young's modulus of the pseudoinclusions. Furthermore, the properties of pseudoinclusions are taken into account when applying known models for the mechanical properties of nanocomposites in order to examine their role in determining the tensile modulus and strength of MPNs. A large number of platelets decrease the aspect ratio and Young's modulus of the pseudoinclusions, as well as their predicted tensile strength, but the N value has the opposite effect on predictions of the tensile modulus. Also, the s and t parameters affect the tensile modulus and strength of MPNs differently.