Predictive models for the tensile strength of polymer composites comprising spherical nano-starch using interphase properties

This study presents two novel predictive equations based on the Pukanszky and Leidner–Woodhams models, tailored to forecast the tensile strength of polymer composites containing spherical nano-starch. The developed models integrate factors such as the starch volume fraction (ϕ_f), interphase strength (σ_i), interphase Thickness (t_i), and starch radius (r) to provide a comprehensive understanding of nanocomposite strength. Accurate evaluation against experimental data highlights the models’ efficacy in precisely predicting the tensile strength for various starch-based nanocomposites. Neglecting these properties lead to erroneous predictions, emphasizing the importance of the developed models for optimizing nanocomposite performances. The proposed models assume the filler volume fraction powers as 1/3 and 2/3. The findings indicate that when the filler volume fraction power is set to 1/3, the developed models exhibit the most accurate fit to the experimental data. Additionally, the impacts of several variables, such as the interfacial parameter (B), σ_i, t_i, and ϕ_f, on the strength of the nanocomposites are graphed using the developed models. In the Pukanszky model, ϕ_f only achieves high strength when the starch radius is low, indicating the significant roles of ϕ_f and r data. The developed models reveal that B, t_i, and σ_i have direct relations with the strength of the nanocomposites, whereas r plays an inverse role.