Effects of critical interfacial shear strength between a polymer matrix and carbon nanotubes on the interphase strength and Pukanszky's " B " interphase parameter.

In this paper, the " B " interphase parameter in the Pukanszky model and interphase strength for polymer carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites are expressed by the critical interfacial shear strength ( τ c ) and interfacial shear strength ( τ ) between a polymer matrix and CNTs. A suggested model and a developed Pukanszky model for tensile strength of nanocomposites are combined to develop the equations for " B " and interphase strength. Many experimental data for various samples confirm the models. The impacts of all parameters on the " B " and interphase strength are explained to approve the developed equations. The contour plots display the same trends for the roles of all parameters in the " B " and interphase strength. Low " τ c ", high " τ ", thin and large CNTs as well as a dense interphase are ideal to obtain the high levels for " B " and interphase strength. Among the studied parameters, CNT size largely controls the " B " and interphase strength, while the waviness and strength of CNTs play insignificant roles.