Title: Rate-Dependent Traction Law for Glass Fiber-Epoxy Interphase Developed Using Molecular Simulations

Authors: Sanjib C. Chowdhury and John W. Gillespie Jr.

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.22.0745

Abstract: Impact loading of composites subjects the constituents such as the nanometer scale interphase to high strain loading that can cause fiber-matrix debonding. In multi-scale modeling, interphase debonding is modeled using the interphase traction-separation laws. In this paper, we develop strain rate dependent Mode-I traction law for the glass fiber-epoxy interphase using all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The interphase model is prepared considering monolayer glycidoxypropyltrimethoxy silane (GPS) in between the glass surface and epoxy matrix using our developed protocol [Chowdhury et al. Applied Surface Science 2021, 542:148738]. Traction laws are developed over a full range of strain rates from quasi-static to super-high strain rate ( 1e16/s) where a theoretical plateau strength limit is predicted. A stress-relaxation methodology is introduced to construct quasi-static traction-separation responses from high strain rate loading. Simulation results reveal that the interphase traction-separation responses are strain rate dependent. Variations of peak traction and energy with strain rates show a characteristic S-shape pattern in a semi-log plot with a gradual increase in properties up to 1e12/s where a steep transition occurs between 1e13/s to 1e14/s followed by a strain rate independent plateau. MD predicted traction and energy are fitted with mathematical correlations to use them in the finite element-based continuum level micro-mechanics modeling to bridge the length scale for multi-scaling.

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Conference: SAMPE 2022

Publication Date: 2022/05/23

SKU: TP22-0000000745

Pages: 11

Price: $22.00