Theoretical prediction and experimental verification of pulling carbon nanotubes from carbon fiber prepared by chemical grafting method

This article reports on experiments for measuring pulling forces and displacements of a carbon nanotube (CNT) grafted on carbon fibers (CFs) and modeling for predicting the pulling force–displacement curves. In the experiments, the pulling force and displacement for different grafting configurations are measured. In the present analytical model, a power function relationship between a curvature radius and critical failure angle of the CNT was firstly established on the basis of the experimental data, and then the critical failure angle, maximum pulling forces and displacements were determined by using a free length, initial grafting length, initial grafting angle, the Hamaker constant and friction coefficient between the CNT and CF. By using the present model, pulling mechanical behaviors of CNTs with different grafting configurations are investigated and verified with results obtained from images taken in the experiment.