Hyperelastic modelling of rubber with multi-walled carbon nanotubes subjected to tensile loading

Abstract

This study thoroughly examined the application of inverse FE modelling and indentation tensile tests to identify nanotubes' rubber material properties. Carbon nanotubes with various percentages of multi-walled carbon nanotubes exposed to high tensile stress were used to enhance the mechanical qualities of natural rubber (NR). In this work, carbon nanotubes have been added to natural rubber. By using a solvent casting technique, toluene was used to make nanocomposites. 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1%. In this article, rubber and multi-walled carbon nanotubes interact in practical ways. Mechanical features of carbon nanotubes in NR have been researched. The results will lead to rubber products with improved mechanical qualities compared to present nanocomposite rubber containing various percentages of multi-walled carbon nanotubes exposed to large tensile test loading. The relative fitness error for significant stresses is reasonable with a second or third-order deformation model in numerical results. Non-linear finite element analysis is widely used to optimise complicated elastomeric components' design and reliability studies. However, accurate numerical results cannot be achieved without using rubber or rubber nanocomposite materials with reliable strain energy functions. The indentation tensile tests of rubber samples have been simulated and confirmed using a parametric FE model. An inverse materials parameter identification algorithm was used to calculate the hyperelastic material properties of rubber samples evaluated in uniaxial tensile. Using ABAQUS FE software, material parameters and force-displacement data may be automatically updated and extracted. The numerical data for the inverse method of material property prediction has been successfully established by developing simulation spaces for various material characteristics. The force-displacement curve can be represented using technical methods. The results demonstrate that the inverse FE modelling process might be simplified by using these curve fitting parameters and plot equations to build a mathematical link between curve coefficients and material properties. The first, second, and third-order deformation models were tested using FE simulations for the tensile test.