Publication

Abstract : Multiscale filler-reinforced composites are emerging category of advanced materials which can replace a range of conventional materials in various applications. The nanofiller reinforcement and the synergistic inclusion of nano- and micro reinforcements in the polymer matrix could generate composites that are suitable in applications where high modulus, strength, and reasonable ductility are required. In light of the above, the nano, micro, and hybrid filler-reinforced composites were prepared by twin screw extrusion and an effort was made to understand the tensile property of the composite through experimental, analytical, and simulation methods. Hybrid multiscale (nano and micro) filler-reinforced composites were prepared by maintaining a fixed composition of microscale glass fiber as 20% (wt) and with varying composition of nanoscale MWCNTs from 1 to 5% (wt) in PP matrix. The present study proposes the modeling of nano (MWCNT) and hybrid filler (glass fiber/MWCNT) reinforcement in polypropylene (PP) matrix using finite-element analysis (FEA) by ANSYS. A representative volume element demonstrating the heterogeneous composite system is developed and simulated with appropriate boundary conditions. To establish the validity of FEA results, for the chosen nanocomposite and hybrid composite containing 3% (wt) of MWCNTs, finite-element modeling results were compared with experimental and micromechanical model values. It could be inferred that FEA results overpredicted the tensile strength and modulus with regard to experimental and analytical observations owing to the assumptions like perfect bonding and nanoclustering.