Characterization and finite element modeling of montmorillonite/polypropylene nanocomposites

Finite element modeling can be a useful tool for predicting the behavior of composite materials and arriving at desirable filler contents for maximizing mechanical performance. In the present study, to corroborate finite element analysis results, quantitative information on the effect of reinforcing polypropylene (PP) with various proportions of nanoclay (in the range of 3–9% by weight) is obtained through experiments; in particular, attention is paid to the Young’s modulus, tensile strength and failure strain. Micromechanical finite element analysis combined with Monte Carlo simulation have been carried out to establish the validity of the modeling procedure and accuracy of prediction by comparing against experimentally determined stiffness moduli of nanocomposites. In the same context, predictions of Young’s modulus yielded by theoretical micromechanics-based models are compared with experimental results. Macromechanical modeling was done to capture the non-linear stress–strain behavior including failure observed in experiments as this is deemed to be a more viable tool for analyzing products made of nanocomposites including applications of dynamics.

► Micromechanical simulation predicts modulus at different filler contents. ► Simulated stress–strain curve is in agreement with the experimental results. ► Probabilistic Monte Carlo simulation is performed. ► Uniform distribution of fibers in the matrix gives best results.