Study and prediction of the mechanical performance of a nanotube-reinforced composite

F. OTERO; X. MARTINEZ; S. OLLER; O. SALOMON

COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2012 vol. 94 p. 2920 - 2930

0263-8223

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been regarded as ideal reinforcements for high-performance composites.A key factor for the reinforcement efficiency is the interface bonding between the CNTs and the matrix.This paper presents a new constitutive model to predict the mechanical performance of composites madewith CNTs. The model takes into account explicitly the performance of the interface between the matrixand the CNTs. The formulation developed is based in the mixing theory. It divides the composite in matrixand in a new material result of coupling the CNTs with the interface. The relation defined between interfaceand CNTs assumes that the load is transferred to the nanotubes along their ends and that in the centralpart the CNTs can develop their full strength. The composite non-linear behavior results from thenon-linearities of its constituents. In case of interface damage, it also becomes non-linear the law definedto couple the interface with the CNTs. After describing the formulation, it is validated studying the elasticresponse of several composites made with different types of CNTs reinforcements. The non-linear behaviorprovided by the formulation is also studied. In both cases the numerical results are compared withexperimental data showing good agreement.