Estimation of Tensile Modulus for Cross-Linked Polyethylene/Clay Shape Memory Nanocomposites

Abstract: Many models are used for the analysis of tensile modulus in cross-linkedpolyethylene/clay shape memory polymer nanocomposites. The conventional modelssuch as modified rule of mixtures, Guth, Paul, Counto, Kerner–Nielsen, etc.underestimate the modulus exhibiting that the reinforcing effect of nanofillershould be considered for the estimation of tensile modulus in the shape memorynanocomposites. In addition, the appropriate parameters in some models areindicated for proper prediction of tensile modulus. Several models such asHalpin–Tsai for fillers with random 3D distribution and Hui–Shia offer theaverage aspect ratio of 56 for nanoclay layers. The results obtained by theTakayanagi model are not fitted to the experimental results demonstrating theimportant effect of the interphase between polymer matrix and nanoclay. Somemodels such as Guth, Halpin–Tsai and Kerner–Nielsen are modified for betteradjustment to tensile modulus of cross-linked polyethylene/clay shape memorynanocomposites.