In the present study, small scale effect on critical buckling loads of triangular nano-composite plates
under uniform in-plane compression is studied. Since at nano-scale the structure of the plate is discrete
and the long-range cohesive forces become important, the size dependent nonlocal elasticity theory is
employed to develop an equivalent continuum plate model for this nanostructure incorporating the
change in its mechanical behavior. Two parameter Winkler-Pasternak elastic medium is used to
precisely model the elastic behavior of the matrix surrounding the nano-plate. The governing stability
equations are then derived using the classical plate theory and the principle of virtual work for a perfect
uniform triangular nano-plate composite system. The well-known numerical Galerkin method is then
used as the basis for the solution in conjunction with the areal coordinates system. The solution
procedure views the entire nano-composite plate as a single super element which can be of general
shape. Effects of nonlocal parameter, length, aspect ratio, mode number, anisotropy, edge supports and
elastic medium on buckling loads are investigated. All of these parameters are seen to have significant
effect on the stability characteristics of nano-composite plate. It is shown that the results depend
obviously on the non-locality of buckled nano-composite plate, especially at very small dimensions,
small aspect ratios, higher mode numbers, higher anisotropy and stiffer edge supports. Also it is seen
that the medium parameters, especially the Winkler parameter, have significant influence on the small
scale effect and can decrease or increase it. Also, it is seen that the classical continuum mechanics
overestimates the results which can lead to deficient design and analysis of these widely used
nanostructures. The results from current study can be used in design, analysis and optimization of
different nano-devices such as nano-electro-mechanical systems (NEMS) utilizing nano-