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Our work seeks to investigate the development and application of micromechanics techniques for use in multi-scale models for CNT-epoxy composites. As a result of the hollow nature of CNTs and the presence of interphase regions, micromechanics methods which make use of the Eshelby solution, like the Mori-Tanaka and self-consistent methods, can not be used. As such, emphasis is placed on the composite cylinders model as a non-Eshelby apporach in the determination of effective CNT-epoxy properties. The applicability of the composite cylinders model in determining the effective thermo-mechanical properties for fiber reinforced composites is well established, and our work seeks to extend this model to include additional thermal and electrical properties as well as electro-mechanical properties. Finally, connections to lower length scale modeling efforts, such as molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, are made in the validation of CNT representations and in the determination of interphase geometry and properties. From MD simulations, continuum level representations for interphases and interfaces for CNTs with differing types of functionalizations are modeled using a thermoelastic composite cylinders model. Multiple orientations of CNTs and multiple CNT functionalizations are combined in general micromechanics averaging approaches to produce effective properties for an epoxy composite with multiple types of CNTs and at random orientations. Initial results for the mechanical properties have indicated the importance of the interphase region, and of the role of clustering of CNTs in nanocomposites on the effective elastic properties both with and without interphase regions.
Caption: TEM Micrographs indicating some of the essential features of CNT-polymer nanocomposites and modeling idealizations incorporating these features. (TEM Images by Mr. Piyush Thakre)
Contact Info: gary-don@tamu.edu
Last Updated:
August 22, 2007