Iranian, Finnish scientists present new model to determine nanocomposites properties

Iranian researchers from Isfahan University of Technology in association with Finnish researchers from Alto University presented a micromechanical model that is able to predict mechanical properties of various types of polymeric and metallic base nanocomposites. Taking into account the malfunctions of nanocomposites, the model is able to present an appropriate and ideal method for the production of a nanocomposite with the best mechanical properties. The method has applications in various industries, including aerospace, automobile manufacturing and medical engineering. Theoretical methods that are commonly used for the calculation of mechanical properties of nanocomposites are not in agreement with results obtained from experimental data. The main reason for the disagreement is the presence of malfunctions such as accumulation and compression of strengthening nanomaterials and their separation from the composite bed. The model is in conformity with the reality of the problem, and it is able to take into consideration the separation of strengthening materials from the bed during the mechanical loading. By observing significant difference between experimental data and the existing theories, the researchers proposed a new micromechanical model that is able to provide an initial determination of the size of strengthening particles and their surface adhesive energy with the bed material. Evaluation of the proposed model showed that there was small difference between results obtained from the theoretical model and the experimental data. In order to prevent the damage caused by the separation of strengthening materials from the bed, tension-stress curves obtained from different methods can be compared with results obtained from the theory so that an ideal method is achieved to produce nanocomposites. In other words, comparing the obtained results showed the best method to create higher surface adhesion energy and give the optimum size for the strengthening particles to prevent the separation. Results of the research have been published in Composites Science and Technology, vol. 93, issue 1, January 2014, pp. 38-45.