Agglomerated carbon nanotubes effects on buckling behavior of fiber metal laminated nanocomposite shells

Abstract

In this research, the influence of carbon nanotubes agglomeration on the buckling behavior of multi-phase CNTs/fiber/polymer/metal composite laminates cylindrical shells under hydrostatic pressure was investigated. Governing equations were derived according to the Kirchhoff-Love’s first approximation shell theory and solved by a combination of the Galerkin and Fourier series expansion methods. Equivalent elastic properties of multi-phase CNTs/fiber/polymer/metal laminated (CNTFPML) cylindrical shell were obtained using the Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka approach, considering the dispersion and agglomeration effects. Primarily, CNTs were added to the polymer matrix and afterwards, this new matrix was reinforced by carbon or glass fiber materials. Finally, the composite layer was joined with metal layers and a hybrid shell prepared. The accuracy of the applied method was validated with the finite element method and experimental tests on carbon/epoxy and glass/epoxy composite cylinders under hydrostatic pressure. The results indicate that the CNTs agglomeration, weight and volume fraction of CNTs and type of fiber materials, have a key role on the critical buckling capacity of multi-phase composite shells.