Stress intensity factor analysis of epoxy/SWCNTs based on global-local multiscale method

Abstract

Carbon nanotube (CNT) is considered as a new generation of material possessing superior mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. In this research, a multiscale finite element analysis is proposed to study the interaction between nanotubes and matrix at the nanoscale near a crack tip. The influence of the chirality and length of single-walled CNT (SWCNTs) on the stress intensity factor of epoxy/SWCNT were studied. It was found that the chirality, length, and radius of CNT have significant effects on the stress intensity factor of nanocomposites. Multiscale simulations from macro to nano or the reverse improved specification of toughness mechanisms.

Keywords

• chirality
• length
• multiscale method
• nanocomposite
• stress intensity factor