Surface deformation of Nanocomposites

Nanocomposites review is the modeling of the mechanical properties of polymer-based

nanocomposites, including the effects of loading rates, operational temperatures, and the material composition. First, modeling of the elastic modulus and yield stress for glassy polymers and polymer reinforced by nano-fillers are addressed. Nanoindentation of complex surfaces especially polymeric surfaces is of great interest from academic and industrial point of view. There are unique properties such as indentation effects strain softening and strain hardening. There is differentiation in structure with the depth exhibited in variation of Tg. Hertzian and non-linear deformation models including usage of FEM offer opportunity in analyzing nano-indentation. Polycarbonate offers a challenging opportunity because of its industrial importance from carbon nano-tubes, ceramics and to Electrophotography. Presence of diamine in polycarbonate results in making the surface and bulk brittle and acts as an anti-plasticizer by increasing it modulus, yield stress and reducing strain to break. Data on modulus and hardness of polycarbonate and blends of diamine as function of depth(strain) and strain rate are presented and compared with models.