New Research on Nanocomposites Reinforced with Nanoclays in the Framework of Continuum Theories

Nanoclay/polymer nanocomposites are increasingly used in lightweight and vibration-sensitive components, where the dynamic response can be strongly governed by nanoscale effects and interphase-mediated load-transfer mechanism. In this study, a unified modeling framework is developed by combining a size-dependent continuum formulation with an explicit interphase-network representation for nanoclay-reinforced polymer nanocomposites. In contrast to conventional homogenization-based approaches, the proposed model incorporates (i) a material length-scale parameter to capture size dependence, (ii) a critical interfacial shear modulus controlling interphase load transfer, and (iii) the intermediate population of intercalated layers to quantify morphology-dependent reinforcement. Model predictions are validated against available experimental measurements, showing consistent agreement across representative systems. Building on the validated framework, dynamic analyses are performed to investigate resonance characteristics and responses under moving-load excitation. The results highlight how interphase quality and size effects can markedly alter dynamic performance, providing an application-oriented tool for parameter identification and design optimization of nanoclay/polymer nanocomposites.