To read this content please select one of the options below:

Simulation of the thermomechanical behavior of graphene/PMMA nanocomposites via continuum mechanics

Androniki Tsiamaki (University of Patras, Agrinion, Greece)
Nicolaos Anifantis (University of Patras, Agrinion, Greece)

International Journal of Structural Integrity

ISSN: 1757-9864

Article publication date: 20 June 2019

Issue publication date: 26 August 2020

115

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to simulate and investigate the thermomechanical properties of graphene-reinforced nanocomposites.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis proposed consists of two stages. In the first stage, the temperature-dependent mechanical properties of graphene are estimated while in the second stage, using the previously derived properties, the temperature-dependent properties of graphene-reinforced PMMA nanocomposites are investigated. In the first stage of the analysis, graphene is modeled discretely using molecular mechanics theory where the interatomic interactions are simulated by spring elements of temperature-dependent stiffness. The graphene sheets are composed of either one or more (up to five) monolayer graphene sheets connected via van der Waals interactions. However, in the second analysis stage, graphene is modeled equivalently as continuum medium and is positioned between two layers of PMMA. Also, the interphase between two materials is modeled as a medium with mechanical properties defined and bounded by the two materials.

Findings

The mechanical properties including Young’s modulus, shear modulus and Poisson’s ratio due to temperature changes are estimated. The numerical results show that the temperature rise and the multiplicity of graphene layers considered lead to a decrease of the mechanical properties.

Originality/value

The present analysis proposes an easy and accurate method for the estimation of the temperature-dependent mechanical properties of graphene-reinforced nanocomposites.

Keywords

Citation

Tsiamaki, A. and Anifantis, N. (2020), "Simulation of the thermomechanical behavior of graphene/PMMA nanocomposites via continuum mechanics", International Journal of Structural Integrity, Vol. 11 No. 5, pp. 655-669. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSI-10-2018-0078

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles