COMPUTATIONAL MODELING OF REINFORCED POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES

Abstract

In this thesis, the properties of epoxy- and nylon 6- /clay nanocomposite are cross-compared. 3D RVE models are implemented to predict the properties using FEM. Parameters such as nanoclay exfoliation degree, stiffness and size are investigated. The stiffness enhancement is achieved at the expense of tensile strength reduction. A computational model of the nanocomposite with core-shell nanoparticles is established and the numerical results could not predict the strength improvement observed in some experiments. The idea of including an initial defect is proposed.

2D modeling with a core-shell nanoparticle placed at the center is studied. There exists a dividing line that separates the nanocomposite into a favorable and an unfavorable zone. The model is further extended to 3D. Lastly, a damage criterion is added to investigate crack propagation. Differences in propagation speed and path are studied. Above observations are used to explain the differences in the maximum stress experienced by nanocomposites.