A small volume fraction of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) added in a polymeric matrix increases significantly the mechanical properties of the polymers. It is experimentally determined from the TEM images of CNT-based nanocomposites that nanotubes don't stand straight in their embedded matrix and they have some curvature in their shape. The load transfer mechanism between CNT and polymer matrix is also one of the most important issues which is not understood explicitly, yet. In this paper a wavy Single Walled Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT) is modeled as inclusion in a polymer matrix and its effective mechanical properties is studied. This model is based on using 3-D Representive Volume Element (RVE) with long wavy CNT inclusions. The CNT is modeled as a continuum hollow cylindrical shape elastic material with some curvature in its shape. The effect of the waviness of the CNT inclusions and its parameters is studied. We used a new approach in the modeling of interaction between the CNT/matrix at the interface. This approach consists of modeling the physical interaction between CNT and polymeric matrix from point of view of the classical contact phenomenon between two flexible bodies. The results of this new approach are compared with perfectly bonded interface and also those obtained from the rule of mixtures. Results show that the Effective Young Modulus (EYM) of the CNT-based nanocomposites for modeling the interaction of CNT/polymer from the point of view of classical contact approach is slightly smaller than the perfectly bonded condition and is more near to experimental reports. It is also showed that increasing the amplitude of wavy CNT or decreasing its wavelength decreases the EYM of the CNT-based nanocomposites s which is in good agreement with the literature. There were also, a linear relation between the EYM of the CNT-based nanocomposites and the volume fraction of CNT inclusions which was observed by the other authors.

Date Published: 8 April 2009
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 7294, Nondestructive Characterization for Composite Materials, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Infrastructure, and Homeland Security 2009, 72940K (8 April 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.815006

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7294:
Nondestructive Characterization for Composite Materials, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Infrastructure, and Homeland Security 2009
H. Felix Wu; Aaron A. Diaz; Peter J. Shull; Dietmar W. Vogel, Editor(s)