An efficient RVE formulation for the analysis of the elastic properties of spherical nanoparticle reinforced polymers

Based on the use of Ripley function, a new algorithm for the generation of three-dimensional Representative Volume Elements (RVEs), easy to be meshed and imported in a FE code, is developed. The presence of an interphase zone, surrounding the nanofiller, of different mechanical properties with respect to the polymer matrix is accounted for. The basic features and potentialities of the tool are discussed by referring to a Complete Spatial Random Distribution. Moreover the effects of the material morphology on the overall interphase amount and on the elastic properties of polymer/particle nanocomposites are analysed. Eventually, a computational analysis is carried out to study the effects of the interphase thickness and properties on the elastic properties of nanocomposites. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.