LAUSR

Abstract The effect of various concentrations of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the elastoplastic behavior, thermal and rheological properties of compatibilized nanocomposites based on low density polyethylene containing poly(methyl hydrogen siloxane)-grafted perlite was explored through using experimental and theoretical analysis. The nanocomposites were prepared by using melt mixing procedure and characterized by various experimental measurements including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), tensile test and rheological measurements. The experimental analyses revealed that the MWCNTs can raise the Young's modulus of prepared nanocomposites up to 63% depending on the nanotubes concentration and dispersion state. Thermal decomposition investigations demonstrated a higher thermal stability up to 10 °C for nanocomposites containing 2 wt% of MWCNTs. The large strain elastoplastic behavior of prepared nanocomposites was elucidated by application of Bergstrom-Boyce model to the resulted stress-strain curves. Generally, theoretical analyses could appropriately predict nonlinear elastoplastic behavior of nanocomposites, even though some deviations were detected at yielding and necking regions, especially at higher nanotube concentrations. The analytical stiffness analysis through using Christensen-Lo model with emphasizing the effect of interphase region could accurately predict the effect of various MWCNTs loading onto the Young's modulus.