Modeling of the mechanical properties of nanoparticle/polymer composites

Odegard, Gregory M.; Clancy, Thomas C.; Gates, Thomas S.

doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2004.11.022

Cited by 555 publications

(268 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Another mechanism that has been proposed [18,58] is the formation of an interphase or immobilised layer of polymer around the particles. Because the interparticle distance for nanocomposites is so small, then it is suggested that due to the proximity of the particles this interphase may be present throughout the entire polymer matrix.…”

Section: Immobilised Polymermentioning

confidence: 99%

Toughening mechanisms of nanoparticle-modified epoxy polymers

Johnsen

Kinloch

Mohammed

et al. 2007

Polymer

859

576

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An epoxy resin, cured with an anhydride, has been modified by the addition of silica nanoparticles.The particles were introduced via a sol-gel technique which gave a very well dispersed phase of nanosilica particles which were about 20 nm in diameter. Atomic force and electron microscopy showed that the nanoparticles were well dispersed throughout the epoxy matrix. The glass transition temperature was unchanged by the addition of the nanoparticles, but both the modulus and toughness were increased. The measured modulus was compared to theoretical models, and good agreement was found. The fracture energy increased from 100 J/m 2 for the unmodified epoxy to 460 J/m 2 for the epoxy with 13 vol% of nanosilica. The fracture surfaces were inspected using scanning electron and atomic force microscopy, and the results were compared to various toughening mechanisms proposed in the literature. The toughening mechanisms of crack pinning, crack deflection and immobilised polymer were discounted. The microscopy showed evidence of debonding of the nanoparticles and subsequent plastic void growth. A theoretical model of plastic void growth was used to confirm that this mechanism was indeed most likely to be responsible for the increased toughness that was observed due to the addition of the nanoparticles. IntroductionEpoxy polymers are widely used for the matrices of fibre-reinforced composite materials and as adhesives. When cured, epoxies are amorphous and highly-crosslinked (i.e. thermosetting)polymers. This microstructure results in many useful properties for structural engineering applications, such as a high modulus and failure strength, low creep, and good performance at elevated temperatures.However, the structure of such thermosetting polymers also leads to a highly undesirable property in that they are relatively brittle materials, with a poor resistance to crack initiation and growth.Nevertheless, it has been well established for many years that the incorporation of a second microphase of a dispersed rubber, e.g. Hence rigid, inorganic particles have also been used, as these can increase the toughness without affecting the glass transition temperature of the epoxy. Here glass beads or ceramic (e.g. silica or alumina) particles with a diameter of between 4 and 100 μm are typically used, e.g. [9][10][11][12][13][14].However, these relatively large particles also significantly increase the viscosity of the resin, reducing the ease of processing. In addition, due to the size of these particles they are unsuitable for use with infusion processes for the production of fibre composites as they are strained out by the small gaps between the fibres.More recently, a new technology has emerged which holds promise for increasing the mechanical performance of such thermosetting polymers. This is via the addition of a nanophase structure in the polymer, where the nanophase consists of small rigid particles of silica [15][16][17][18]. Such nanoparticle-modified epoxies have been shown to not only increase further the toug...

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Section: Immobilised Polymermentioning

confidence: 99%

Toughening mechanisms of nanoparticle-modified epoxy polymers

Johnsen

Kinloch

Mohammed

et al. 2007

Polymer

859

576

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“…Though the Mori-Tanaka model has been used widely to predict the elastic properties of two-phase composites, it is not expected to perform well in nano-scale level because the reinforcement and adjacent polymer region could not be accurately described as consisting of just two phases, i.e., fillers and matrix. To get rid of this drawback, an effective interface model was proposed [8]. This model considered a third phase between the nanoscale reinforcement and matrix, i.e., an effective interface.…”

Section: Representative Volume Element (Rve)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Young's modulus of the fillers is 88.7 GPa. The effective particle volume fraction is 5%, and a constant effective interface thickness of 1.2 nm is adapted [8]. In order to confirm the usability of single particle model as a computationally efficient replacement of multi-particle unit cells, we carry out the simulations with unit cell with different particle amount (from 1 to 100) and random arrangements.…”

Section: Materials Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Odegard et al suggested a continuum-based micromechanics model of silica nanoparticle/polyimide composites which incorporated the molecular structures of the nanoparticle, polyimide, and interfacial regions. An effective interface between the polyimide and nanoparticle with properties and dimensions was determined using the results of molecular dynamics simulations [8]. Wang et al investigated the elastic properties of nano-reinforced polymer composites using a 3D FEM modelling technique [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Elastic Property Simulation of Nano-particle Reinforced Composites

Wang

2016

MATEC Web Conf.

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Abstract.A series of numerical micro-mechanical models for two kinds of particle (cylindrical and discal particle) reinforced composites are developed to investigate the effect of microstructural parameters on the elastic properties of composites. The effects of both the degree of particle clustering and particle's shape on the elastic mechanical properties of composites are investigated. In addition, single particle unit cell approximation is good enough for the analysis of the effect of averaged parameters when only linear elastic response is considered without considering the particle clustering in particle-reinforced composites.

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“…[36] However, as the inclusion size is decreased, the physicochemical properties of the interface must be taken into account for a correct prediction of observed moduli which display substantial dependence on inclusion size. [37] The dynamics observed at the interface is complex and depends both on size and stickiness of the NP. This will inevitably reflect on the mechanical properties.…”

Section: Distribution Of Chains Near Nanoparticle Surface -Effect Of mentioning

confidence: 99%

On modifying properties of polymeric melts by nanoscopic particles

Atılgan

Inanc

Atılgan

2012

J Polym Sci B Polym Phys

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We study geometric and energetic factors that partake in modifying properties of polymeric melts via inserting well-dispersed nanoscopic particles (NP). Model systems are polybutadiene melts including 10-150 atom atomic clusters (0.1-1.5% v/v). We tune interactions between chains and particle by van der Waals terms. Using molecular dynamics we study equilibrium fluctuations and dynamical properties at the interface. Effect of bead size and interaction strength both on volume and volumetric fluctuations is manifested in mechanical properties, quantified here by bulk modulus, K.Tuning NP size and non-bonded interactions results in ~15% enhancement in K by addition of a maximum of 1.5% v/v NP.

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Modeling of the mechanical properties of nanoparticle/polymer composites

Cited by 555 publications

References 24 publications

Toughening mechanisms of nanoparticle-modified epoxy polymers

Toughening mechanisms of nanoparticle-modified epoxy polymers

Elastic Property Simulation of Nano-particle Reinforced Composites

On modifying properties of polymeric melts by nanoscopic particles

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