Meso-scale modelling of shock wave propagation in a SiC/Al nanocomposite reinforced with WS2-inorganic fullerene nanoparticles

It has been postulated that nanocomposites incorporating IF-WS2 nanoparticles within a strong matrix might form the next generation of highly shock-resistant materials. The present work describes initial analyses into the shock response of such materials via a sequential multi-scale dynamic analysis. Density functional theory is used to calculate the elastic properties of the multilayered WS2 nanoparticles. These properties are then used within an explicit finite element (FE) analysis of wave propagation through an embedded statistical volume element (SVE) of a two-phase nanocomposite consisting of a matrix with IF-WS2 nanoparticles. Some wave front dispersion was noted, particularly where the modulus of the matrix is significantly different from that of the particles. A three-phase nanocomposite consisting of an aluminium matrix with IF-WS2 and SiC nanoparticles was also considered, and showed more apparent wave front dispersion than for the two-phase nanocomposite. Hugoniot shock propagation data have been derived from the simulation outputs. It is concluded that sequential multiscale modelling of these systems is appropriate and can provide useful information about shock wave propagation in the elastic region. The work also provides a foundation for more realistic simulations at higher rate loading, where it will be necessary to incorporate material failure in the models.