Fracture in Polymer Composites: Nano to Meso (GRK2423 - P3)

Third Party Funds Group - Sub project


Acronym: GRK2423 - P3

Start date : 02.01.2019

End date : 30.06.2023

Extension date: 31.12.2027

Website: https://www.frascal.research.fau.eu/home/research/p-3-fracture-in-polymer-composites-nano-to-meso/


Overall project details

Overall project

Fracture across Scales: Integrating Mechanics, Materials Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics (FRASCAL) (GRK 2423 FRASCAL) Jan. 1, 2019 - Dec. 31, 2027

Overall project speaker:

Project details

Short description

The abrasion and fracture toughness of polymers can considerably be increased by adding hard nanoparticles such as silica. This is mainly caused by the development of localized shear bands, initiated by the stress concentrations stemming from the inhomogeneity of the composites. Other mechanisms responsible for toughening are debonding of the particles and void growth in the polymer matrix. Both phenomena strongly depend on the structure and chemistry of the polymers and shall be explored for branched networks (epoxy) and matrices of nestled fibres (cellulose, aramid).

The goal of the present project is to develop and apply dynamics simulation approaches to understanding polymer-nanoparticle and polymer-polymer interactions at i) the atomic scale and ii) at larger scales using coarse-graining.

Scientific Abstract

The abrasion and fracture toughness of polymers can considerably be increased by adding hard nanoparticles such as silica. This is mainly caused by the development of localized shear bands, initiated by the stress concentrations stemming from the inhomogeneity of the composites. Other mechanisms responsible for toughening are debonding of the particles and void growth in the polymer matrix. Both phenomena strongly depend on the structure and chemistry of the polymers and shall be explored for branched networks (epoxy) and matrices of nestled fibres (cellulose, aramid).

The goal of the present project is to develop and apply dynamics simulation approaches to understanding polymer-nanoparticle and polymer-polymer interactions at i) the atomic scale and ii) at larger scales using coarse-graining.

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Funding Source