Numerical prediction of elastic properties for carbon nanotubes reinforced composites using a multi-scale method

The main aim of this research was to investigate longitudinal elastic and effective modulus of composites reinforced with zigzag and armchair single-walled (CNT) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with different volume fractions and aspect ratios via finite element simulation. A three-phased volume element was adopted for the modeling of nanocomposite behavior and nonlinear spring elements were used to model interphase part joints and the effective force between nanotubes and resin were determined based on Lennard-Jones potential. After the evaluation and validation of the model, elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio of composites reinforced with zigzag and armchair CNTs with different volume fractions and aspect ratios were extracted. It was found that by increasing volume fraction and aspect ratio, elastic modulus of representative volume element of composite was increased and its Poisson’s ratio was decreased. At similar aspect ratio and volume fraction, the elastic modulus of composites reinforced with armchair CNTs and Poisson’s ratio of those reinforced with zigzag CNTs were higher. Also, results showed that elastic modulus of composite was independent from elastic modulus of interphase.