Microscopic observation and micromechanical modeling to predict the enhanced mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced crosslinked high density polyethylene

The selectedmodels successfully predicted the exact point of the behavioral transition while highlighting the necessity to use conventional along with modern experimentally-driven methods. Based on the combination of microscopic observations and micro-Raman analysis, it is suggested that the observed and modeled change in the mechanical behavior occurs as a consequence of two competitive mechanisms governing the incorporation of MWCNTs in PEX: a tendency to enhance its mechanical properties by successful load transfer and a drive to form bundles, reducing this positive effect.