Multiscale modeling of carbon fiber/carbon nanotube/epoxy hybrid composites: Comparison of epoxy matrices
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2018
Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Abstract
This study addresses the multiscale modeling of hybrid composites composed of carbon fibers (CFs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and three different epoxy systems (di-, tri-, and tetra-functional resin epoxies). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to predict the molecular-level interfacial and mechanical behavior of CNT embedded in epoxy. Micromechanics calculations are implemented to translate the molecular phenomena observed to predict the mechanical properties of CNT/epoxy composites with randomly oriented CNTs and CF/CNT/epoxy systems with aligned CFs and randomly oriented CNTs. The model is validated with experimental Young's modulus values for CNT/epoxy available in the literature. The results demonstrate that the tri- and tetra-functional resin epoxies demonstrate comparably high moduli over the di-functional resin for CNT concentrations up to 5 wt%. For higher CNT loadings, the tri-functional resin epoxy is predicted to outperform the other resins with respect to stiffness due to its strong interaction with CNTs and high bulk stiffness.
Publication Title
Composites Science and Technology
Recommended Citation
Radue, M.,
&
Odegard, G. M.
(2018).
Multiscale modeling of carbon fiber/carbon nanotube/epoxy hybrid composites: Comparison of epoxy matrices.
Composites Science and Technology,
166, 20-26.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.03.006
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/341
Publisher's Statement
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Publisher’s version of record: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.03.006