The influence of various levels of carbon nanotube (CNT) structural damage
on the transversely isotropic elastic properties of CNTs and CNT/polymer
composites is investigated through a hierarchical multiscale modeling
strategy. Assessment of the effect of structural damage on the CNTs is first
conducted by removing C-C bonds and using atomistic finite element analysis.
The composite cylinder method is then used to model composites whose
effective properties are obtained from the Mori–Tanaka method. The
axial, radial, transverse shear and in-plane shear moduli of CNTs decrease
% for
10% damage. This decrease is more pronounced for CNTs with small radii, and when
the broken bonds coalesce. The transverse Poisson’s ratio of CNTs increases
about six times for 10% damage. When these defective CNTs are used in
polymer composites, the axial elastic modulus of the composite reduces by
80%
while the transverse Poisson’s ratio increases about three times.
Department of Engineering Science
and Mechanics
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
495 Old Turner Street
Norris Hall, Room 223
Blacksburg, VA 24061
United States
Department of Aerospace and Ocean
Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
228 Randolph Hall (0203)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
United States