Prediction of elastic properties of polylactide/halloysite composites

Rangika T. De Silva, Pooria Pasbakhsh, Kheng L. Goh

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperOther

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) incorporated poly (lactic acid) (PLA) reinforced nanocomposites were prepared by solution casting method with 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 wt% of HNTs concentrations. The elastic modulus (E) and tensile strength (σ) of the nanocomposites increased with the addition of HNTs. For instance, σ and E increased by 67% and 58% with addition of 5 wt% of HNTs, respectively. Beyond 5 wt%, HNTs tend to aggregate within the PLA matrix, which was confirmed by the tensile fracture surfaces' micrographs (FE-SEM) of the nanocomposites. Experimentally obtained results of E were also compared with the Halpin-Tsai analytical model (H-T model) and a 3D finite element model (FEM) which consisted of randomly distributed nanotubes. E values predicted by FEM were closer to the experimental results compared to those predicted by the H-T model. In contrast to the H-T model, FEM captures the nonlinear elastic behaviour of the experimental data very well since it takes into account the stress field interference of HNTs within the matrix.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication8th Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics, ACAM 2014, as Part of Engineers Australia Convention 2014
EditorsRaj Das, Sabu John
PublisherEngineers Australia
Pages951-956
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781922107350
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2014
EventAustralasian Congress on Applied Mechanics 2014 - Melbourne, Australia
Duration: 25 Jan 201426 Nov 2014
Conference number: 8th

Conference

ConferenceAustralasian Congress on Applied Mechanics 2014
Abbreviated titleACAM 2014
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityMelbourne
Period25/01/1426/11/14
Otheras Part of Engineers Australia Convention 2014

Keywords

  • Finite element analysis
  • Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs)
  • Mechanical properties
  • Poly lactic acid (PLA)

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