Multiscale modeling of mechanical behaviors of Nano-SiC/epoxy nanocomposites with modified interphase model: Effect of nanoparticle clustering

A modified interphase model was developed to improve the physical error of the conventional interphase model. To examine the superiority of the new model, a multiscale analysis was performed to investigate the effect of the agglomeration of silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of epoxy-based nano-composites with a continuum damage model. Both interphase models could be effectively employed to describe the negative effect of nanoparticle clustering on the nanocomposite stiffness. Meanwhile, only the modified model was able to provide results corresponding to experimental observations in the case of nanocomposite strength. It was concluded that the strength and damage parameters of the interphase zone should be different from those of the neat polymer for the realistic design of polymer nanocomposites with clusters.