Tensile modulus of halloysite-nanotube-based system assuming the defective interfacial bonding between polymer medium and halloysite nanotube

Abstract In this paper, essential interfacial shear modulus (Gc) in halloysite nanotubes (HNT) nanocomposites is expressed to define the effective inverse aspect ratio and effective volume portion of HNT in the samples. Additionally, Halpin-Tsai model is advanced by the mentioned terms for the modulus of HNT-filled system assuming the defective bonding between polymer medium and HNT. The approximations of the advanced model are linked to the numerous experimented data and the stimuli of all factors on the modulus of system are clarified. Halpin-Tsai model overestimates the moduli of system, whereas the advanced model produces the accurate results matching to the experimental facts. “Gc” inversely governs the modulus of system. The variation of “Gc” from 1 to 5 GPa changes the nanocomposite’s modulus by 57%. The interfacial shear modulus (Gi) positively controls the modulus of system and Gi = 20 GPa improves the modulus of samples by 63%.