Performance enhancement of polymer nanocomposites via multiscale modelling of processing and properties

Eileen Harkin-Jones, Rajvihar Rajeev, Kok Soon, Gary Menary, Cecil Armstrong, Tony McNally, Peter Martin, L. Figiel, P. Spencer, W. Al-Shabib, V. Chan, P. Buckley, J. Sweeney, H. Assender, P. Coates, F. Dunne, Rund Abu-Zurayk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of research on modelling of the structure–property interactions of polymer nanocomposites in manufacturing processes (stretch blow moulding and thermoforming) involving large-strain biaxial stretching of relatively thin sheets, aimed at developing computer modelling tools to help producers of materials, product designers and manufacturers exploit these materials to the full, much more quickly than could be done by experimental methods alone. The exemplar systems studied are polypropylene and polyester terephalate, with nanoclays. These were compounded and extruded into 2mm thick sheet which was then biaxially stretched at 155°C for the PP and 90 to 100°C for the PET. Mechanical properties were determined for the unstretched and stretched materials, together with TEM and XRD studies of structure. Multi-scale modelling, using representative volume elements is used to model the properties of these products.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)113-123
Number of pages11
JournalPlastics, Rubber and Composites
Volume37
Issue number2-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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