Numerical Simulation of Mechanical Properties of Nano Particle Modified Polyamide 6 via RVE Modeling

Abstract

In this paper the physical influences on the mechanical behavior of a Polyamide 6 (PA 6)/Mont- morillonit (MMT)-nanocomposite are examined by a selected structure modification in a numerical parameter study. Experimental data of tensile tests of three different volume fractions at ambient temperature are used as reference. These were compared to homogenized stress-strain curves calculated with 3D representative volume elements (RVE) under periodic boundary conditions, in which the curve areas are considered until the tensile yield strength is reached. Besides the influence of filler orientation, exfoliation and its volume fraction, both adhesive interface behavior between the filler and matrix, and local partially crystalline interphases around the MMT-plates were also taken into account. A good approximation of the numerical representation of the experimental curves was achieved only after the introduction of the 30 - 40 nm thick partially crystalline interphases with higher stiffness and strength around the MMT-plates. The use of an exclusively isotropic matrix led to an underestimation of the mechanical values. The local modifications of the morphology were assumed to be transversely isotropic both in the elastic and in the plastic region. The transverse plane is defined by the lateral particle surface. Compared with the experimentally determined values of the corresponding Young’s Modulus, an excellent correlation was achieved. The yield strength for the largest volume fraction shows the best agreement with experimental values.