Effects of particles size on the overall strength of nanocomposites: Molecular Dynamics simulations and theoretical modeling. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lucchetta, Antoine; Brach, Stella; Kondo, Djimédo
• Is Part Of: Mechanics research communications. Volume 114(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Nanocomposites -- Strength properties -- Limit analysis -- Molecular Dynamics computations; Mechanics, Applied -- Periodicals; Mécanique appliquée -- Périodiques; Mechanics, Applied; Periodicals; 530
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mechrescom.2021.103669
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0093-6413

Abstract

Highlights: We perform Molecular Dynamics simulations for various values of particles size. We propose a kinematics limit-analysis approach for composites. Extension to nanocomposite into taking account the particles size effect. The theoretical predictions are in good agreement with the numerical results. Abstract: We perform Molecular Dynamics simulations to investigate the strength properties of particulate reinforced nanocomposites. For a fixed reinforcement volume fraction, the effective strength increases as the inclusion size decreases. We further develop a kinematic limit analysis approach, which delivers theoretical estimates of the effective strength. The model is first assessed in the absence of size effects by comparison with data from available literature. An extension to nanocomposites is then proposed, accounting for the presence of surface stresses at the matrix/inclusion interface. Numerical data are used to calibrate the interfacial strength, which is found to be a size-dependent property.