A new approach for prediction of elastic modulus of polymer/nanoclay composites by considering interfacial debonding: Experimental and numerical investigations

In this study, experimental and numerical investigations of the elastic modulus of polymers reinforced with nanoclay are presented. First, finite element modeling of elastic modulus is employed, without considering interfacial debonding between the matrix and nanoclay. A high degree of difference between the finite element and experimental results reveals that the assumption of perfect bonding may be incomplete for nanocomposites. Because interfacial debonding has been recognized as a probable source of damage nucleation in nanocomposites, finite element modeling, accounting for interfacial debonding, is utilized secondly. Using Weibull's distribution function, the probability of debonding at the interface and the consequent, volume fraction of the debonded particles is determined. Next, these values are written into a Python based code, which is executed using ABAQUS (R). The comparative results of this study indicate that the presented numerical method exhibits a good agreement with experimental data when interfacial debonding between the matrix and nanoclay is considered. Finally, to further validation of the presented method, finite element modeling with/without considering interfacial deboning has been compared with the experimental results of published studies. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.