Numerical Modeling of Graphene/Polymer Interfacial Behaviour Using Peel Test

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Abstract
Graphene, a flat monolayer of carbon atoms packed in a 2D honeycomb lattice, has outstanding mechanical properties and can be used as a reinforcement for developing composites, such as graphene/polymer composites. The interface properties between the reinforcing and the matrix phase influence significantly the performance of these new nanocomposites. Very limited experimental studies have been carried out to evaluate the interfacial characteristics of the nanocomposites due to difficulties in accessing individual interfaces. Evaluation of interfacial behaviour of the nanocomposites using numerical studies is available, but these studies mainly deal with separation in the shear (sliding) mode performed by pullout test. The purpose of this study is to develop a microscopic numerical model to simulate graphene/polymer peel test, where opening mode of fracture is dominated. A plane-strain model is developed using the finite element method (Abaqus). The interface bonding between the graphene and polymer matrix is described by using a cohesive zone model. The numerical results are compared with an experimental study published in literature.

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