Mechanics of Deformation of Multi Walled Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites

作者：Joshi Preeti^*; Upadhyay S H

来源：Journal of Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience, 2014, 11(12): 2603-2610.

DOI：10.1166/jctn.2014.3679

• Bending Load
• Continuum Approach
• Finite Element Analysis
• Material Properties
• Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
• Nano-Composites

Carbon nanotube based composites are an emerging class of new materials that are being developed to take advantage of the high strength, stiffness and aspect ratio of carbon nanotubes. In this paper, nanocomposite is modeled using representative volume element (RVE) which is considered as linearly elastic composite medium. RVE consist of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) surrounded by homogeneous matrix material. Each tube of multiwalled carbon nanotube is considered as elastic shell, and the interlayer van der waals forces between the walls of carbon nanotubes are simulated using linear spring elements. Material properties of multi walled carbon nanotube reinforced composites are evaluated, considering RVE subjected to bending load. Comparative analysis of various material properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube based composites and single walled carbon nanotube based composites is presented. MWCNT are found to be more effective as compared to SWCNT in enhancing the bending stiffness of the composite. MWCNT in a soft matrix is found to easily take a significant role in the mechanical reinforcement. In the numerical simulation, the influences of variation in various parameters on the final macroscopic material properties of composites have also been investigated. Bending stiffness of MWCNT composite is found to increase with the increase in tube diameter of MWCNT and number of walls of carbon nanotubes in MWCNT composite. Also, the FEM results are compared with the results obtained from analytical method. FEM results are found to be consistent with the analytical results.

• 出版日期2014-12