Material property estimations and comparisons of nano-reinforced polymer composites using classical micromechanics and the generalized method of cells

An effective material property estimation is performed that investigates the effect of the nanoparticle/matrix resin interphase thickness and properties on the microscale composite response. The focus of this estimation is on vapor-grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs) in a vinyl ester thermoset resin matrix, using classical micromechanics techniques (Mori-Tanaka and Self-Consistant methods) and NASA's special-purpose composite failure analysis code, MAC/GMC which is based on the Generalized Method of Cells (GMC). The predicted properties are compared to those obtained from mechanical testing. © 2010 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.

Material property estimations and comparisons of nano-reinforced polymer composites using classical micromechanics and the generalized method of cells Conference Paper