Stress Analysis of Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Nanocomposites

Abstract

Stress transfer in the carbon nanotube reinforced nanocomposites is investigated in this work. The model consists of two concentric cylinders, namely, a single-walled carbon nanotube cylinder (SWCNT) and a matrix cylinder, as the representative volume element (RVE). The stress analysis is performed using the shear lag model for the axisymmetric RVE. Analytical solutions for the axial normal stresses in the SWCNT and matrix, and the interfacial shear stress across the SWCNT/matrix interface are obtained. Numerical results show that using a large volume fraction improves the efficiency of the stress transfer from the matrix to the carbon nanotubes.