ASME Winter Conference IMECE 2003, Washington, D.C.

A micromechanical study on the clustering effect of
carbon nanotube reinforced composites

D. C. Lagoudas and G.D. Seidel

Given the high stiffness-to-weight ratios intrinsic to carbon nanotubes, a significant amount of interest has developed in generating carbon nanotube reinforced composites. Specifically, several endeavors have focused on the fabrication and evaluation of Polymer Matrix Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites (PMCNRC’s). However, the current state of technology limits the ability to separate individual nanotubes and bundles resulting in clustering of the nanotubes within PMCNRC’s. Our focus is on capturing the effect of clustering of the carbon nanotubes on the effective thermomechanical properties through the use of modified micromechanics techniques. Emphasis is placed on single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in the form of ropes which have been randomly distributed in polymer matrixes at various weight fractions. Comparisons to available experimental data and to finite element simulations are made. Finally, extensions to multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as well as functionalized carbon nanotubes are discussed.