Learn to model your own problems for predicting the properties of polymer-based composites Mechanics of Particle- and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites: Nanoscale to Continuum Simulations provides readers with a thorough and up-to-date overview of nano, micro, and continuum approaches for the multiscale modeling of polymer-based composites. Covering nanocomposite development, theoretical models, and common simulation methods, the text includes a variety of case studies and scripting tutorials that enable readers to apply and further develop the supplied simulations. The book describes the foundations of molecular dynamics and continuum mechanics methods, guides readers through the basic steps required for multiscale modeling of any material, and correlates the results between the experimental and theoretical work performed. Focused primarily on nanocomposites, the methods covered in the book are applicable to various other materials such as carbon nanotubes, polymers, metals, and ceramics. Throughout the book, readers are introduced to key topics of relevance to nanocomposite materials and structures—supported by journal articles that discuss recent developments in modeling techniques and in the prediction of mechanical and thermal properties. This timely, highly practical resource: Explains the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation procedure for nanofiber and nanoparticle reinforced polymer composites Compares results of experimental and theoretical results from mechanical models at different length scales Covers different types of fibers and matrix materials that constitute composite materials, including glass, boron, carbon, and Kevlar Reviews models that predict the stiffness of short-fiber composites, including the self-consistent model for finite-length fibers, bounding models, and the Halpin-Tsai equation Describes various molecular modeling methods such as Monte Carlo, Brownian dynamics, dissipative particle dynamics, and lattice Boltzmann methods Highlights the potential of nanocomposites for defense and space applications Perfect for materials scientists, materials engineers, polymer scientists, and mechanical engineers, Mechanics of Particle- and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites is also a must-have reference for computer simulation scientists seeking to improve their understanding of reinforced polymer nanocomposites.

Interfaces in Particle and Fibre-Reinforced Composites: From Macro- to Nanoscale addresses recent research findings on the particle-matrix interface at different length scales. The book's main focus is on the reinforcement of materials by particles that can result in a composite material of high stiffness and strength, but it also focuses on how the particle interacts with the (matrix) material, which may be a polymer, biological-based material, ceramic or conventional metal. The different types of particle reinforced composites are discussed, as is load transfer at the particle-matrix interface. Readers will learn how to select materials and about particle structure. Significant progress has been made in applying these approaches, thus making this book a timely piece on recent research findings on the particle-matrix interface at different length scales. - Features wide coverage, from polymer, to ceramics and metal-based particulate composites - Structured in a logical order to cover fundamental studies, computer simulations, experimental techniques and characterization

Learn to model your own problems for predicting the properties of polymer-based composites Mechanics of Particle- and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites: Nanoscale to Continuum Simulations provides readers with a thorough and up-to-date overview of nano, micro, and continuum approaches for the multiscale modeling of polymer-based composites. Covering nanocomposite development, theoretical models, and common simulation methods, the text includes a variety of case studies and scripting tutorials that enable readers to apply and further develop the supplied simulations. The book describes the foundations of molecular dynamics and continuum mechanics methods, guides readers through the basic steps required for multiscale modeling of any material, and correlates the results between the experimental and theoretical work performed. Focused primarily on nanocomposites, the methods covered in the book are applicable to various other materials such as carbon nanotubes, polymers, metals, and ceramics. Throughout the book, readers are introduced to key topics of relevance to nanocomposite materials and structures—supported by journal articles that discuss recent developments in modeling techniques and in the prediction of mechanical and thermal properties. This timely, highly practical resource: Explains the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation procedure for nanofiber and nanoparticle reinforced polymer composites Compares results of experimental and theoretical results from mechanical models at different length scales Covers different types of fibers and matrix materials that constitute composite materials, including glass, boron, carbon, and Kevlar Reviews models that predict the stiffness of short-fiber composites, including the self-consistent model for finite-length fibers, bounding models, and the Halpin-Tsai equation Describes various molecular modeling methods such as Monte Carlo, Brownian dynamics, dissipative particle dynamics, and lattice Boltzmann methods Highlights the potential of nanocomposites for defense and space applications Perfect for materials scientists, materials engineers, polymer scientists, and mechanical engineers, Mechanics of Particle- and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites is also a must-have reference for computer simulation scientists seeking to improve their understanding of reinforced polymer nanocomposites.

Multi-scale modelling of composites is a very relevant topic in composites science. This is illustrated by the numerous sessions in the recent European and International Conferences on Composite Materials, but also by the fast developments in multi-scale modelling software tools, developed by large industrial players such as Siemens (Virtual Material Characterization toolkit and MultiMechanics virtual testing software), MSC/e-Xstream (Digimat software), Simulia (micromechanics plug-in in Abaqus), HyperSizer (Multi-scale design of composites), Altair (Altair Multiscale Designer) This book is intended to be an ideal reference on the latest advances in multi-scale modelling of fibre-reinforced polymer composites, that is accessible for both (young) researchers and end users of modelling software. We target three main groups: This book aims at a complete introduction and overview of the state-of-the-art in multi-scale modelling of composites in three axes: • ranging from prediction of homogenized elastic properties to nonlinear material behaviour • ranging from geometrical models for random packing of unidirectional fibres over meso-scale geometries for textile composites to orientation tensors for short fibre composites • ranging from damage modelling of unidirectionally reinforced composites over textile composites to short fibre-reinforced composites The book covers the three most important scales in multi-scale modelling of composites: (i) micro-scale, (ii) meso-scale and (iii) macro-scale. The nano-scale and related atomistic and molecular modelling approaches are deliberately excluded, since the book wants to focus on continuum mechanics and there are already a lot of dedicated books about polymer nanocomposites. A strong focus is put on physics-based damage modelling, in the sense that the chapters devote attention to modelling the different damage mechanisms (matrix cracking, fibre/matrix debonding, delamination, fibre fracture,...) in such a way that the underlying physics of the initiation and growth of these damage modes is respected. The book also gives room to not only discuss the finite element based approaches for multi-scale modelling, but also much faster methods that are popular in industrial software, such as Mean Field Homogenization methods (based on Mori-Tanaka and Eshelby solutions) and variational methods (shear lag theory and more advanced theories). Since the book targets a wide audience, the focus is put on the most common numerical approaches that are used in multi-scale modelling. Very specialized numerical methods like peridynamics modelling, Material Point Method, eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM), isogeometric analysis, SPH (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics),... are excluded. Outline of the book The book is divided in three large parts, well balanced with each a similar number of chapters:

This book is focused primarily on polymer nanocomposites, based on the author's research experience as well as open literature. The environmental health and safety aspects of nanomaterials and polymer nanocomposites, risk assessment and safety standards, and fire toxicity of polymer nanocomposites, are studied. In the final chapter, a brief overview of opportunities, trends, and challenges of polymer nanocomposites are included. Throughout the book, the theme is developed that polymer nanocomposites are a whole family of polymeric materials whose properties are capable of being tailored to meet specific applications. This volume serves as a general introduction to students and researchers just entering the field and to scholars from other subfields seeking information.

This book delves into the mechanical analysis of the nanomaterials and polymer nanocomposite materials by shedding light on the mechanical performance of nanomaterials, elasticity and viscoelasticity behaviors of polymer nanocomposites, the laminate and sandwich theories, durability and fatigue behaviors. The chapters in this book bring together leading experts in the field to provide an update of the latest scientific results and a fully holistic understanding of the mechanical performance of these materials. The book interests the academic and industrial researchers, R&D managers and engineers working in material and nanomaterial sciences, polymer science and technology, automotive and aerospace engineering, construction and sporting goods, etc. The book also targets the readers that may have no prior knowledge about composite and nanocomposite materials.

Fiber-reinforced Nanocomposites: Fundamentals and Applications explores the fundamental concepts and emerging applications of fiber-reinforced nanocomposites in the automobile, aerospace, transportation, construction, sporting goods, optics, electronics, acoustics and environmental sector. In addition, the book provides a detailed overview of the properties of fiber-reinforced nanocomposites, including discussion on embedding these high-strength fibers in matrices. Due to the mismatch in structure, density, strain and thermal expansion coefficients between matrix and fibers, their thermo-mechanical properties strongly depend not only on the preparative methods, but also on the interaction between reinforcing phase and matrix phase. This book offers a concise overview of these advances and how they are leading to the creation of stronger, more durable classes of nanocomposite materials. - Explores the interaction between fiber, nanoreinforcers and matrices at the nanoscale - Shows how the properties of fiber-enforced nanocomposites are ideal for use for a variety of consumer products - Outlines the major challenges to creating fiber-reinforced nanocomposites effectively