Compatibility effects of modified montmorillonite on elastic and visco-elastic properties of nano-reinforced Poly(lactic acid): Experimental and modeling study

This paper aims to highlight the effects of the compatibility between nano-clay platelets and polymer matrix and capability of combined approaches (experimental and modeling) to capture the visco-elastic properties of the studied materials. In this context, a study, as complete as possible, is conducted through microstructural observation, mechanical characterization and micromechanical modeling. Nano-clay reinforced Poly(lactic acid) blends with different modified nano-clay platelets (Cloisite 30B and Cloisite 93A) were prepared. The linear elastic and visco-elastic behaviors of nano-reinforced samples were characterized. And a combination of lenght-scale-sensitive experimental techniques helped to describe the micro-structure through different microstructural parameters. These parameters were used as input into a viscoelastic micromechanical model. Comparison between experimental data (Complex, loss and storage moduli) and model predictions were in good agreement.