Bending behavior of carbon nanotube-reinforced composites

The multi-scale modeling method was utilized to study the bending characteristics of a carbon nanotube (CNT) and CNT-reinforced composites. Through combining molecular dynamics and continuum mechanics, the tensional and flexural modulus of a CNT were calculated by a finite element model constructed by reticulate beams with solid cylinder shape and energy equal to C-C bonds. Then, another beam element with hollow cylinder shape and equivalent stiffness was utilized in place of a CNT in a matrix, thus, a multi-scale representative volume element (RVE) model of CNT-reinforced composite was established. Using this RVE model, the bending behavior of CNT-based composites was analyzed. The influence of diameter D, length L, aspect ratio L/D, volume fraction, chiral of CNTs and shape of RVE as well as the arrangement of CNTs in matrix on the reinforcement effect of flexural modulus of resultant nanocomposites were further discussed. The obtained data provide useful information for the design of CNT-reinforced composites.