Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Polymer Composites Using Continuum Mechanics Approach

Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) due to their excellent mechanical, thermal and electrical properties to the best carbon fibres, have attracted composite fraternity to explore the possibility of using them as an additional reinforcement in carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites. In this paper, the effect on elastic modulus due to CNT reinforcement on exiting two phase polymer composite is studied using both finite element analysis and rule of mixture theory. The carbon nanotubes are modelled as continuum hollow cylindrical shape elastic material and mechanical property of CNT reinforced nanocomposites have been investigated using 3D represented volume Element. The matrix materials have been epoxy and PEEK whereas carbon fibres and glass fibres have been used as primary reinforcements. The mechanical properties have been evaluated for different volume fractions of CNTs and for different configuration of matrix and fibres.