Tensile properties of polycaprolactone/nano-CaCO3 composites

The effects of nanometer calcium carbonate content and tensile rate on the tensile properties of the filled polycaprolactone (PCL) composites were investigated. There was a certain reinforcing effect of the filler on the PCL resin. The tensile modulus increased nonlinearly, and the tensile strength also increased with increase of the filler weight fraction. When the filler weight fraction was kept constant, the tensile modulus and tensile strength increased slightly with increasing tensile rates. By comparing the experimental results with those determined from the tensile yield strength theory, the interfacial adhesion between the filler and matrix was found to be relatively strong; it should be one of the reasons for the good reinforcing effect.