Cyclic deformation of ternary nanocomposites: Experiments and modeling

Observations are reported on the mechanical response of a ternary composite (blend of polypropylene and a thermoplastic elastomer reinforced with montmorilonite nanoclay) at cyclic tensile deformations with relatively large amplitudes (up to the necking point). Constitutive equations for the viscoplastic behavior of hybrid nanocomposites are derived by using the laws of thermodynamics. Adjustable parameters in the stress–strain relations are found by fitting the experimental data. It is demonstrated that the model adequately predicts stress–strain diagrams of the nanocomposite under cyclic loading.