Studies of Nanotube-Based Aluminum Composites Using the Bridging Domain Coupling Method

In this article, after performing verification of the bridging domain coupling method in a three-dimensional application, we employ this coupling method to study Young's moduli and failure strengths of nanotube-based aluminum composites. In the multiscale model of nanocomposites, the nanotubes and their surrounding areas, i.e., the interaction zones, are modeled via molecular dynamics, while the other regions are modeled via the finite element method. Three types of nanotubes are considered as inclusions: single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and SWNT bundles. Although all types of nanotube inclusions can reinforce nanocomposites, MWNTs play the most significant role compared to the other two inclusions. In addition, SWNT bundles are better inclusions than SWNTs for reinforcing nanocomposites.