A numerical investigation on low velocity impact response of polymer-based nanocomposite plates containing multiscale reinforcements

Abstract

The hybridization of carbon fibers (CFs) with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a new way of improving the mechanical and physical performances of composite materials. The aim of this work is to evaluate the low velocity impact response of polymer-based hybrid composite plates reinforced by the chopped CFs and CNTs using finite element method (FEM). A nested micromechanical FEM considering interphase region created by the non-bonded van der Waals interactions between the CNTs and polymer is developed for predicting the mechanical properties of hybrid composites. The predictions of the proposed numerical model are compared with the results of experiment and other numerical methods. It is demonstrated that adding a small amount of CNTs into the chopped CF-reinforced polymer composites can increase the contact force and decrease the center deflection of hybrid composite plates. The influences of volume fractions of CF and CNT, thickness and elastic modulus of interphase region, diameter and initial velocity of projectile, dimensions and boundary conditions of plate on the dynamic response of hybrid composite structures are discussed.