This paper presents three-dimensional finite element modeling of nanocomposite materials made from polyethylene polymer reinforced by coiled carbon nanotubes. A method of Python scripting was used to generate representative volume elements in order to determine the mechanical behavior in elastic and plastic zones as well as effective thermal conductivity using the finite element software. The properties of the nanocomposites are investigated by considering the interphase zone between carbon nanofillers and matrix. The effects of different volume fractions, geometrical parameters, and orientations of the nanofillers on the elastic and thermal characteristics of the nanocomposites are studied considering both cohesive interaction and perfect bonding between the fillers and matrix. Moreover, the effects of applying strain on the effective thermal conductivity of the representative volume elements are analyzed. The results reveal that both stress–strain curves and thermal conductivity coefficients of the nanocomposites are following similar trends vs. the changes of the volume fractions as well as the geometries and orientations of the coiled carbon nanotubes. Analysis of the tensile toughness of all samples reveals that it is affected by both stress and the number of fillers in the representative volume element. In addition, thermal-displacement analysis shows that thermal conductivity coefficient decreases by increasing the applied strain on the representative volume element, while the intensity of decrease of the nanocomposite thermal conductivity depends on the volume fraction and interaction of the nanofillers and interphase zone. Finally, crashworthiness analysis of the nanocomposite material proves that they are appropriate candidates for absorbing energy under impact loadings in comparison to metals.

中文翻译：

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预测由卷曲碳纳米管增强的聚合物纳米复合材料的机械和热性能，可能用作冲击吸收剂

本文介绍了由卷绕碳纳米管增强的聚乙烯聚合物制成的纳米复合材料的三维有限元建模。使用 Python 脚本的方法生成具有代表性的体积元素，以便使用有限元软件确定弹性和塑性区域的机械行为以及有效热导率。通过考虑碳纳米填料和基体之间的界面区来研究纳米复合材料的性能。考虑到填料和基体之间的内聚相互作用和完美结合，研究了不同体积分数、几何参数和纳米填料的取向对纳米复合材料的弹性和热特性的影响。而且，分析了施加应变对代表性体积单元的有效热导率的影响。结果表明，纳米复合材料的应力-应变曲线和热导系数与卷曲碳纳米管的体积分数以及几何形状和取向的变化都遵循相似的趋势。对所有样品的拉伸韧性的分析表明，它受应力和代表性体积元素中填料数量的影响。此外，热位移分析表明，通过增加对代表性体积元素施加的应变，导热系数降低，而纳米复合材料导热系数的降低强度取决于纳米填料与界面区的体积分数和相互作用。