Elastic Properties of Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Bundle/Polymer Composites

Abstract- In nanocomposites reinforced with single carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), usually SWNTs exist in the form of bundles. This paper presents a multi-scale model of polymer based composites reinforced with 3-tube and 7-tube bundles. The polymer matrix is modeled at continuum level. The SWNTs and their interactions within the bundle and with matrix are modeled based on user defined finite elements (UEL, VUEL) in Abaqus code. The carbon-carbon bonded interactions are determined based on the Dreiding force field and the Lenard-Jones relation is considered for the nonbonded interactions. The bundle is embedded in the polymer matrix and the representative volume element (RVE) is constructed. RVEs of different volume fractions are subjected to tensile loading and their elastic properties are explored. Keywords - ,, , .