Effect of Temperature on Mechanical Properties of Nanoclay Reinforced Polymeric Nanocomposites. Part 2. Modeling and Theoretical Predictions
Abstract
In this paper we present the modeling and theoretical prediction for the results given in Part I [1] for nanoclay reinforced polymers subjected to mechanical and thermal loads. In the previous paper (Part I) the mechanical properties for 3 grades of polypropylene (PP) and epoxy reinforced with nanoclay were experimentally determined at various temperatures. In this study using the Mori-Tanaka formulations (for oriented particles, 2-D randomly distributed particles and 3-D randomly distributed particles) and the Finite Element Method (FEM) the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio are calculated and then compared with the experimental results. The Mori-Tanaka formulation is modified to take into account nanoclay particles of varying dimensions and also the effect of voids. In addition at high temperatures, the formulation is further modified to include the effect of temperature in the calculation of the Young's modulus. It is found that the results obtained from the modified Mori-Tanaka calculations compare well with the experimental results. The Finite Element calculations also provide a reasonable estimate for the Young's modulus, but the results are less predictive than the Mori-Tanaka results.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 22, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA560179
Entities
People
- F. Delale
- Jiang Li
- S. Bayar
Organizations
- City College of New York