Mechanical characterization and postbuckling behavior of carbon nanotube–carbon fiber reinforced nanocomposite laminate

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of carbon nanotube reinforcement in conventional carbon fiber reinforced composite on the buckling and postbuckling behavior of the laminated nanocomposite plate made of carbon nanotube and carbon fiber reinforcements in a matrix material. The method of representative volume element is utilized to perform the multiscale modeling of the problem. Initially, Boolean-based random sequential adsorption algorithm is utilized to model a nanoscale representative volume element of nanocomposite material to mimic the effect of randomly distributed (i.e. having random orientation and position) carbon nanotubes in a matrix material. After estimating the elastic properties of the nanocomposite material using representative volume element, another microscale representative volume element of carbon fiber reinforced in the nanocomposite (i.e. carbon nanotube reinforced matrix material) is modeled to evaluate the stiffness properties of the lamina formed of carbon nanotube–carbon fiber reinforced nanocomposite. The laminae are further stacked in the sequence of (45°/−45°/−45°/45°) to model a laminate. Thereafter, the evaluated stiffness properties of the lamina are employed to predict the effect of carbon nanotube reinforcement on buckling and postbuckling behavior of the laminated plates through nonlinear finite element method formulation based on the first-order shear deformation theory and von Karman’s assumptions. It is established that carbon nanotube reinforcement in carbon fiber reinforced composite lamina results in the enhancement of stiffness properties of the resulting carbon nanotube–fiber nanocomposite lamina, with more prevalent effect on the matrix-dominated properties—transverse and shear moduli—than the axial modulus. The increased stiffness properties result in the substantial improvement in the buckling load and postbuckling strength of the laminated plate made of carbon nanotube–carbon fiber nanocomposite material, for all volume fractions of carbon nanotube, loading and boundary conditions, geometric parameters (i.e. aspect ratio and width-to-thickness ratio), and matrix materials.

Size-dependent vibrational behavior of embedded spinning tubes under gravitational load in hygro-thermo-magnetic fields

“…[16][17][18] Since size-dependent effects play an influential role in nanostructures, they cannot be ignored in the mechanical analysis of nanosystems; hence, different non-classical continuum theories are developed. [19][20][21] One of the most widely used non-classical theories for modeling the dynamical response of microscale structures is the modified couple stress theory. Based on this conventional theory, numerous investigations are devoted to surveying various aspects of the vibrational behavior of microscale tubes.…”

Elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio of graphene nanoplatelet/glass fiber-reinforced polymer hybrid composites subjected to off-axis loading

“…Polymer matrix modification through the addition of nano-fillers opens up a novel avenue for improving the effective properties of general composite systems. The mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced PMCs can be increased by the introduction of nanoscale additives such as silica nanoparticles, [5][6][7] carbon nanotubes (CNTs), [8][9][10] and graphene [11][12][13] into the polymer matrix. Among the nanoscale fillers, the exploitation of graphene is certainly a great current interest in producing hybrid composites.…”

Machinability of squeeze cast (TiB2+CNT)/Al 7075 metal matrix nano-composite during EDM with untreated and cryogenic treated Cu electrodes: A comparative study

“…Likewise, CNTs have also attracted the research attention in recent years because of high aspect ratio, high elastic modulus, tensile strength and bending strength with good electrical conductivity, low thermal expansion coefficient, and outstanding thermo-oxidative stability. [7][8][9] Incorporation of CNTs into Al alloy results remarkable improvement of hardness, tensile strength, compressive strength, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and superior resistance to wear. 10 Existence of TiB 2 particulates and CNTs in Al MMCs improves the overall material properties through microstructure refinement and various strengthening mechanisms to enable these composites for various applications in automobile and aerospace industries, which need machining process to impart desired shape with close dimensional accuracy.…”