Abstract
Tensile properties of nanocomposites (silica/epoxy) with some aggregations of nanosilica are studied by nanoscale simulation, particularly with regard to the effective modulus and tensile strength. Three analytical models are used to obtain the effective elastic modulus of nanoparticle-reinforced composites (silica/epoxy). Then a multi-scale finite element method is proposed to study the interaction of particles and matrix for silica/rubber/epoxy systems at the nanoscale near a crack tip. A multi-scale finite element model with effective homogeneous material properties is used to study the fracture of a compact tension sample. The simulation results for effective elastic modulus and tensile strength of SiO2particle-reinforced epoxy composites, and fracture toughness at the nanoscale for SiO2/rubber/epoxy with various volume fractions, show good agreement with previously published experimental data. It is demonstrated that the proposed parametric model can be used to efficiently study the toughness mechanisms at the nanoscale.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1224-1233 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 16 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2012 |
Keywords
- finite element analysis
- micromechanics
- Nanocomposites
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ceramics and Composites
- Mechanics of Materials
- Mechanical Engineering
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry