Study on the percolation behavior of the mechanical properties of nanoparticle reinforced polymer nanocomposites using three-dimensional micromechanical modeling

Significant improvements in mechanical properties of polymers reinforced with nanoparticles at relatively low volume fractions, is caused that the use of polymer nanocomposites increase. The main reason for the increase in mechanical properties of nanocomposites is the presence of an interphase region between the nanoparticles and polymer matrix. In this work using a unit cell-based micromechanical model, the percolation behavior of the mechanical properties of nanoparticle reinforced polymer nanocomposites is investigated. The Representative Volume Element (RVE) of nanocomposites consists of three phases including nanoparticles, polymer matrix and interphase. The RVE is extended to c×r×h nano-cells in three dimensions and the state of dispersion of nanoparticles into matrix is random. Effects of interphase region including its thickness and elastic modulus and nanoparticle geometry on the percolation behavior of the nanocomposite are studied. Results show that with decreasing the nanoparticle size or increasing aspect ratio of nanoparticle, critical volume fractions decreases. The predicted results of the present micromechanical model are in good agreements when compared with results of the other micromechanical model. The herein reported results could be useful to guide the modeling and optimal design of nanocomposite reinforced by nanoparticles with the highest economic interest.