On the elastic properties of carbon nanotube-based composites: modelling and characterization

The exceptional mechanical and physical properties observed for carbon nanotubes has stimulated the development of nanotube-based composite materials, but critical challenges exist before we can exploit these extraordinary nanoscale properties in a macroscopic composite. At the nanoscale, the struct...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physics. D, Applied physics Applied physics, 2003-03, Vol.36 (5), p.573-582
Main Authors: Thostenson, Erik T, Chou, Tsu-Wei
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Exact sciences and technology
Mechanical and acoustical properties of condensed matter
Mechanical properties
Mechanical properties of nanoscale materials
Physical properties
Physics
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Properties and testing
Technology of polymers
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Summary:The exceptional mechanical and physical properties observed for carbon nanotubes has stimulated the development of nanotube-based composite materials, but critical challenges exist before we can exploit these extraordinary nanoscale properties in a macroscopic composite. At the nanoscale, the structure of the carbon nanotube strongly influences the overall properties of the composite. The focus of this research is to develop a fundamental understanding of the structure/size influence of carbon nanotubes on the elastic properties of nanotube-based composites. Towards this end, the nanoscale structure and elastic properties of a model composite system of aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes embedded in a polystyrene matrix were characterized, and a micromechanical approach for modelling of short fibre composites was modified to account for the structure of the nanotube reinforcement to predict the elastic modulus of the nanocomposite as a function of the constituent properties, reinforcement geometry and nanotube structure. The experimental characterization results are compared with numerical predictions and highlight the structure/size influence of the nanotube reinforcement on the properties of the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite elastic properties are particularly sensitive to the nanotube diameter, since larger diameter nanotubes show a lower effective modulus and occupy a greater volume fraction in the composite relative to smaller-diameter nanotubes.
ISSN:0022-3727
1361-6463
DOI:10.1088/0022-3727/36/5/323