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 language | English |
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Title of host publication | 8th Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics, ACAM 2014, as Part of Engineers Australia Convention 2014 |
Editors | Raj Das, Sabu John |
Publisher | Engineers Australia |
Pages | 951-956 |
Number of pages | 6 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781922107350 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2014 |
Event | Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics 2014 - Melbourne, Australia Duration: 25 Jan 2014 → 26 Nov 2014 Conference number: 8th |
Conference
Conference | Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics 2014 |
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Abbreviated title | ACAM 2014 |
Country/Territory | Australia |
City | Melbourne |
Period | 25/01/14 → 26/11/14 |
Other | as Part of Engineers Australia Convention 2014 |
Keywords
- Finite element analysis
- Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs)
- Mechanical properties
- Poly lactic acid (PLA)