Elastic properties prediction of nano-clay reinforced polymers using hybrid micromechanical models

New morphological representation for nano-platelet composite materials is considered. Instead of matrix–inclusion representation usually used for heterogeneous materials, the microstructure is represented as an aggregate of bi-layered sandwich inclusions. The polymer phase and the nano-platelets form, together, the bi-layered composite inclusions with infinite length and with comparing to the thickness. The thickness of polymer and clay nano-platelets will be related to the volume fraction of each phase. Based on this representation different micromechanical models were tested. Self consistent and two dual hybrid models (S-inclusion and U-inclusion) were used. To compare the predictions to a more classical model, a matrix–inclusion representation was also considered. The polymeric phase is considered homogeneous and isotropic. The elastic anisotropy of the montmorillonite nano-platelet was taken on account. Elastic properties of nano-platelet composite materials were predicted. Comparison with literature experimental data shows the capabilities of the aggregate bi-layered representation models to fit the experimental data with no adjustable parameters.