Transitional failure of hybrid carbon nanotubes under multiaxial loads

Abstract

Transitional failure envelopes of hybrid single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized by functional groups and filled with butane molecules under combined tension–torsion are predicted using classical molecular dynamics simulations. The observations reveal that while the tensile failure load decreases with combined torsion, the torsional buckling moment increases with combined tension. As a result, the failure envelopes under combined tension–torsion are definitely different from those under pure tension or torsion. In such combined loading, there is a multitude of failure modes (tensile failure and torsional buckling), and the failure therefore exhibits the feature of transitional failure envelopes. In addition, the functionalization by functional groups decreases both tensile failure load and torsional buckling moment, while filling with butane molecules increases only the torsional buckling moment. Consequently, the transitional failure envelopes of functionalized and filled nanotubes are absolutely different relative to what is predicted for pristine nanotubes.