Micromechanical modeling of the elastic properties of semicrystalline polymers: a three-phase approach

A. Sedighiamiri, T.B. Erp, van, G.W.M. Peters, L.E. Govaert, J.A.W. Dommelen, van

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

53 Citations (Scopus)
7 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The mechanical performance of semicrystalline polymers is strongly dependent on their underlying microstructure, consisting of crystallographic lamellae and amorphous layers.In line with that, semicrystalline polymers have previously been modeled as two and three-phase composites, consisting of a crystalline and amorphous phase and, in case of the three-phase composite, a rigid-amorphous phase between the other two, having a somewhat ordered structure and a constant thickness. In this work, the ability of two-phase and three-phase composite models to predict the elastic modulus of semicrystalline polymers is investigated.The three-phase model incorporates an internal length scale through crystalline lamellar and interphase thicknesses, whereas no length scales are included in the two-phase model. Using linear elastic behavior for the constituent phases, a closed form solution for the average stiffness of the inclusion is obtained. A hybrid inclusion interaction model has been used to compute the effective elastic properties of polyethylene. The model results are compared to experimental data to assess the capabilities of the two- or three-phase composite inclusion model.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2173-2184
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Polymer Science, Part B: Polymer Physics
Volume48
Issue number20
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Micromechanical modeling of the elastic properties of semicrystalline polymers: a three-phase approach'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this