Local Aggregation Effect of Carbon Nanotubes on the Elastic Property of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites

摘要

This research is aimed at characterizing the elastic properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced composites using Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka approach based on an equivalent fiber. An embedded carbon nanotube in a polymer matrix and its surrounding interphase is replaced with an equivalent fiber for predicting the mechanical properties of the carbon nanotube/polymer composite. The inter-phase region is treated using van der Waals interactions. The properties of carbon nanotube reinforced (CNTR) composite are affected by its microstructure, especially the degree of CNT aggregation that is described by an aggregation coefficient. It is shown the degree of aggregation can seriously reduce the effective stiffness and frequency parameter.