A pull-out model for perfectly bonded carbon nanotube in polymer composites

Abstract

A pull-out model for carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced composite is presented to obtain the interface characteristic in which perfect bonding at the interface is considered. In the model, a partially embedded CNT in a cylindrical polymer matrix is subjected to an axial load at the open end. By using representative volume element (RVE) concept, analytical solutions are derived for axial and interfacial shear stresses in the CNT. Parametric studies are also conducted to obtain the influence of aspect ratio, modulus ratio and relative size of RVE on stress components. Variation of critical pull-out stress with embedded length and CNT/polymer Young's modulus ratio are also investigated. © 2012 by Mathematical Sciences Publishers.