Modeling the elastic modulus of exfoliated graphite platelets filled vinyl ester: analytical predictions with consideration of filler percolation

Abstract

Mechanical response of nano-based composites is generally influenced by interaction of filler and matrix at interface. Increasing filler-loading within the composite may cause spatial limitation toward best dispersion of filler, and since synthesizing a totally agglomerated-free nanocomposite is difficult, filler and matrix interaction needs to be perfectly modeled. A micromechanical model is developed in this study based on the common Halpin-Tsai theory to predict the elastic stiffness of vinyl ester/exfoliated graphite platelet nanocomposites. The model considers near-rational ideal (uniformly dispersed) mixed with clustered filler-network to simulate filler-distribution conditions. A filler-dispersion level based on the filler concentration has been proposed mathematically in this study. Predictions of the proposed model considering filler morphology were compared with the predictions of the Halpin-Tsai model and the experimentally obtained results as well. The proposed model shows better accuracy in terms of stiffness over predictions of the HalpinTsai model and appears in a very good agreement with the experimental results obtained for vinyl ester nanocomposites.

Estimation of the tensile modulus of polymer carbon nanotube nanocomposites containing filler networks and interphase regions by development of the Kolarik model

“…Accordingly, the inuence of "f p " on the "f" parameter is negligible and can be eliminated which simplies eqn (17) to: where the "f" parameter only depends on the ller volume fraction and other factors cannot signicantly vary it. The substitution of the "f" parameter from eqn (18) into eqn (2) also suggests the correct results which conrms the present equations.…”

“…By the substitution of eqn (18) into eqn (3), the Kolarik model for the tensile modulus of PCNTs above the percolation threshold is stated as:…”

“…Some authors have interpreted the high levels of modulus in reinforced composites and nanocomposites by mechanical percolation. [16][17][18] Since the percolation threshold is inversely related to the aspect ratio of particles, PCNTs generally show very low percolation thresholds which promotes the electrical conductivity and mechanical behavior with a low content of CNTs. [19][20][21] In conventional composites containing reinforcements, a thin interface layer usually covers the particles.…”

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Thermoset–Graphene Nanocomposites

“…Under high strain rate loading, tensile strength of pure vinyl ester remained almost the same with the addition of xGnP reinforcement and with CTBN toughening. In another study by Almagableh et al, creep resistance of thermoset vinyl‐ester‐based nanocomposites with different wt% of exfoliated graphite filler was characterized at different temperatures under constant loading. Analyzing the creep response showed that the nanofiller at lower temperatures hindered slippage and reorientation of polymer chain that, in turn, showed higher creep resistance for nanocomposites than the neat matrix.…”

Creep resistance of linear low density polyethylene/carbonaceous hybrid nanocomposites: Experiments and modeling

“…This is due to their unique structures and extraordinary properties, such as low density, high aspect ratio, 13 high modulus as well as strength, 14 and notable electrical 15 and thermal conductivities. 16 A number of works on the creep response of polymer nanocomposites have been published, associated with thermosetting matrices [17][18][19] and thermoplastic ones. 5,[20][21][22][23] In Ref.…”