The viscoelastic behaviour of the nanocomposites was characterised using DMA (Tritec 2000, Triton Technology Ltd., Keyworth, UK). DMA was performed in both three-point bending and tensile modes. The storage modulus, loss modulus and energy dissipation factor (tand) were measured from 30 C to 120 C using a heating rate of 5 C min1 at a frequency of 1 Hz. Tensile tests were conducted in accordance with BS EN ISO 527: 1996 using an Instron universal material testing machine (Instron 4502, Instron Corporation, MA, USA) equipped with a 1 kN load cell. Samples were tested at 1 mm min1.