Abstract
Two basic features of continuum description of nanocomposite materials are discussed in the framework of structural mechanics of materials and construction units. First, a continuum as a basic notion in mechanics of materials is considered, where the principle of continualization is stated and the notion of representative volume is introduced. Then, some facts from the theory of composite materials are shown and commented. Here, the principle of homogenization is stated and two basic models of theory of composite materials (homogeneous body and piecewise homogeneous body) are described. The first feature is formulated as an invalidity of the principle of continualization in some types of nanoformations used as fillers in nanocomposite materials. The second feature is stated as a necessity of transition from the two-component structure to the three-component structure of nanosized composite materials. Also, the kind of nanocomposites is considered, which needs the four-component models. Both features are commented and accompanied by examples.
Highlights
A physical body is modeled in mechanics in some steps [see, for example, fundamental book by Ilyushin (1990)]
Two basic features of continuum description of nanocomposite materials are discussed in the framework of structural mechanics of materials and construction units
The first feature is formulated as an invalidity of the principle of continualization in some types of nanoformations used as fillers in nanocomposite materials
Summary
A physical body (piece of raw material) is modeled in mechanics in some steps [see, for example, fundamental book by Ilyushin (1990)]. Note that the procedure of averaging is based on the introduction of the notion of representative volume (cube) This volume is chosen in the real body in condition that the sizes of the volume are smaller on several orders of sizes of the body. Authors of different publications on materials are showing the color pictures of representative volumes in the form of cubes filled of discrete particles, which are looking very nice, but do not image the real discrete structure. Such nice pictures of representative cube for polycarbonate and polyimide can be seen in the characteristic of these kinds of pictures’ publication of Valavala et al (2007). Corresponding publications are shown and an inquisitive reader can find these pictures there
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