Numerical investigation of fracture behavior by crazing in graphene reinforced polymers

Abstract

For graphene reinforced polymers, toughness value is found to be scattered and specifically is based on experimental results. Therefore, it is highly desirable to have a proper estimation model for fracture toughness of such composites. In this study a RVE model was proposed to investigate the graphene–craze interaction and fracture behavior of graphene reinforced polymers. A craze presented in polymeric matrix and an interacting graphene platelet randomly located were assumed in the RVE model. Validations were made by both theoretical and experimental results. Parametric studies showed that Young’s modulus ratio of 500 is preferably recommended from the perspective of toughening effect.

Keywords:

• Crazing
• Stress intensity factor
• graphene nanoplatelet
• nanocomposites
• representative volume element (RVE)

Acknowledgement

This work was financially supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Project No. 2021CDJQY-056) and Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission (Project No. KJCXZD2020002).

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Project No. 2021CDJQY-056) and Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission (Project No. KJCXZD2020002).