Modeling of tensile modulus in polymer/carbon nanotubes (CNT) nanocomposites

• The tensile modulus of polymer/carbon nanotubes (CNT) nanocomposites is predicted.
• The modulus is correlated with different powers of CNT volume fraction.
• The experimental moduli are well fitted to the suggested equation including “ϕ2/3”.

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) show significant mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Therefore, CNT is a good candidate for enhancement of polymer properties. Many researchers have tried to study the various characteristics of polymer/CNT nanocomposites (PCNTs) from experimental and theoretical points of view.This paper aims to predict the tensile modulus of PCNTs by a simple methodology. The experimentally measured modulus of many PCNTs from valid literature is correlated with various powers of CNT volume fractions (“ϕ”, “ϕ1/2” and “ϕ2/3”) and the best equation is chosen from analysis of calculations. It is found that the experimental moduli are well connected to “ϕ2/3” by maximum 10% disagreement between experimental and theoretical results.