Analytical and parametric analysis of interface stress behaviour in nanoclay/polymer composite

Abstract

Nowadays, nanoclay-reinforced polymers are one of the most widely used nanocomposites due to their high aspect ratio, higher contact area and their unique properties. These composites are used in a number of industrial applications, such as construction (building sections and structural panels), automotive (gas tanks, bumpers, interior and exterior panels), chemical processes (catalysts), pharmaceutical (as carriers of drugs and penetrants), aerospace (flame retardant panels and high performance components), food packaging and textiles, etc. Their interphase properties are essential for determining their proper design and safety application when applying large mechanical loads on them. In this work, a parametric analysis is performed to investigate how the change in the interphase properties influences the interphase shear stress (ISS) and interphase peel stress (IPS) in a nanoclay/polymer nanocomposite structure, subjected to axial load. The two-dimensional (2D) stress-function method is applied, which results in obtaining an analytical solution for ISS and IPS. The implemented parametric analysis shows how varying of the interphase mechanical properties (Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio) and their geometric properties (thickness and length) influence the value of the model interphase stresses. It was found, that increasing the value of Young modulus of the interphase does not change significantly the value of the model ISS, as well as the value of IPS, in the considered nanoclay/polymer structure. On the other hand, increasing the value of the interphase layer thickness becomes important for the value of ISS and IPS after 25nm. It turned out, that the interphase layer length is the most appreciable parameter, influencing both the model ISS and IPS. The obtained results could be useful for the proper design and safety application of similar nanoclay/polymer composites in industry.