Numerical investigation of the effect of carbon nanotubes on mechanical properties and fracture behavior of polymeric nanocomposite using discontinuous fiber model

The use of empirical and semi-empirical models to model the properties of nano composites to predict mechanical properties and failure leads to cost and time reduction and optimal design. In this study, discontinuous (short) fiber models were used to model the mechanical properties and fracture behavior of carbon nanotube reinforced polymer nanocomposites with volume fractions of 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%. In previous studies, the discontinuous fiber model was used to determine the macro scale properties of composites reinforced with discontinuous fibers. In this study, a model that considers the geometric similarity between short fibers and nanotubes was used. Using this model and the model of random distribution of nanotubes in the epoxy matrix, simulations were performed using the Python programming language and the mechanical properties and fracture behavior were investigated at the Nano and mesoscales.