3D FEA of Interfacial Stress in Tensile of Rubber-modified Polypropylene

Abstract

The interfacial stress and its distribution affect directly the mechanical properties of polymeric blends and composites. Polymers are usually modified with rubber to improve their toughness. The three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) of the interfacial stress distribution between the particulate and the matrix during tensile of a rubber-modified polypropylene (PP) blend is made by means of an ANSYS software in this article, and the results are compared with those of the two-dimensional (2D) FEA simulation published earlier. The results show that the shear effect subjected in the pole zone of the rubber particle is maximal, the equator zone of the rubber particle is strongly pressed and pulled, and the tensile stress reaches the maximum. Comparatively, the stress distribution of 3D FEA is more gentle than that of 2D FEA.

Keywords

polypropylene rubber toughness interfacial stress analysis FEA simulation

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