Abstract
The use of modelling to understand the science of engineering strong and tough materials through clay nanocomposite technology is potentially beneficial and needs to be realised. In this paper, the use of continuum finite element method as a start point to model clay/epoxy nanocomposites and its mechanical properties is explored. Its computation cost is cheap; a full three-dimensional continuum representative volume element (RVE) model to investigate the effects of interfaces on the mechanical properties of nanocomposites is new; and the use of continuum finite element method at the nano-scale with all its advantages and short-comings needs understanding. This paper briefly introduces the approach to developing RVE models of nanocomposites consisting of Montmorillonite clay nanofillers that are randomly orientated and randomly embedded in an epoxy matrix. Thereafter, the mechanics of interface failure such as particle splitting (or debonding) and its effect on the mechanical properties such as stress-strain behaviour and strength of the nanocomposite is discussed.
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Chia, J.Y.H. (2009). Finite Element Modelling Clay Nanocomposites and Interface Effects on Mechanical Properties. In: Pyrz, R., Rauhe, J.C. (eds) IUTAM Symposium on Modelling Nanomaterials and Nanosystems. IUTAM Bookseries, vol 13. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9557-3_25
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9557-3_25
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-9556-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-9557-3
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