Nonlinear Multi-Scale Finite Element Method to Predict Tensile Behavior of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Abstract

Abstract. The ability of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to consider as the strongest and stiffest elements in nanoscale composites remains a powerful motivation for the research in this area. This paper describes a finite element (FE) approach for prediction of the mechanical behavior of polypropylene (PP) matrix reinforced with single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). A representative volume element is proposed for modeling the tensile behavior of aligned CNTs/PP composites. The CNT is modeled with solid elements. Modified Morse potential is used for simulating the mechanical properties of an isolated carbon nanotube. The matrix is modeled as a continuum medium by utilizing an appropriate nonlinear material model. A cohesive zone model is assumed between the nanotube and the matrix with perfect bonding until the interfacial shear stress exceeds the bonding strength. Using the representative volume element, a unidirectional CNT/PP composite was modeled and the results were compared with corresponding rule-of-mixtures predictions. The effect of interfacial shear strength on the tensile behavior of the nanocomposite was also studied. The influence of the SWCNT within the polymer is clearly illustrated and discussed. The results showed that polymer's Young's modulus and tensile strength increase significantly in the presence of carbon nanotubes.

Flexural Strength of Light-Weight Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Containing Biodegradable LDHs Microparticles: Experimental Study and Multiscale Finite Element Model

“…Esmaeili et al (2021) studied the influence of steel fiber geometric characteristics on fiber-reinforced concrete behavior using the multi-scale finite element method. Meso-scale representative volume elements of straight and coiled CNTreinforced epoxy composites were analyzed by Haydar (2021) via commercial finite element analysis software. According to their model, there is a limit to the number of microparticles.…”

Static and Dynamic Behavior of Nanotubes-Reinforced Sandwich Plates Using (FSDT)

“…Ajayan et al [8] investigated the carbon nanotube-reinforced composites (CNTRCs) made from polymer reinforced by aligned CNT arrays. Varieties of experimental, theoretical, and computer simulation approaches indicate that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be used in nanocomposite structures (carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (CNTRC)) [9][10][11][12], embedded FG-SWCNT-reinforced microplates [13]. Wave propagation of embedded viscoelastic FG-CNT-reinforced sandwich plates and Thermoelastic nonlinear frequency analysis of CNT reinforced functionally graded sandwich structure are studied by Kolahchi et al [14] and Mehar et al [15] respectively.…”