Prediction of interface stiffness of single-walled carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer composites by shear-lag model

Interfacial stress transfer of single-walled carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer composites subjected to uniaxial tension was investigated by a newly developed shear-lag model integrated with a spring layer model. A linear relationship between the tangential relative displacement and the interfacial shear stress was assumed for the interface which is determined by van der Waals forces. The interface stiffness parameter was determined through comparing the stress distribution of the shear-lag model with multiscale simulation results. The effect of the interface stiffness and the nanotube’s aspect ratios on the distribution of stress in CNT-reinforced composites was studied.