Elastic modulus measurement of polymer matrix nano-composites reinforced by platelet nano-clays

Polymer-clay nano-composite materials, in which nano-meter thick layers of clay dispersed in polymer matrix, have generally higher mechanical properties than normal polymeric materials. A new three-dimensional unit cell model has been developed for modeling three constituent phases including inclusion, interphase and matrix. The total elastic modulus of nano-composite is evaluated.  Numerical results are in good agreement with the previous proposed theoretical modeling. Higher matrix and inclusion elastic modulus both can dramatically increase the total elastic modulus.