A constitutive model for finite deformation response of layered polyurethane-montmorillonite nanocomposites

A constitutive model is developed to predict the finite deformation response of multilayered polyurethane (PU)-montmorillonite (MTM) nanocomposites. In PU-MTM nanocomposites, the PU matrix in the vicinity of the MTM nanoparticles is modified leading to an interphase region, and its effect on the finite deformation response of these nanocomposites is largely neglected in many existing models. In this work, the entire spatial volume is considered to be occupied by multi-layers of bulk PU and effective particles which consist of MTM nanoparticles and the modified PU interphase region. A Langevin chain based eight chain model is used to capture the large stretch hyperelastic behavior of bulk PU. The effective particle component of the model consists of a linear elastic spring to capture the initial elastic response, a non-linear viscoplastic dash-pot for the strain-rate dependent yield strength of nanocomposites, and a non-linear spring element in parallel to the dash-pot for the strain-hardening response. The model adopts the concept of amplified strain of the confined PU chains to accommodate the applied strain owing to the limited strain in the MTM nanoparticles. The constitutive model predicts all the major features of the stress-strain constitutive response of a family of PU-MTM nanocomposites including the initial linear elastic response, yield strength and post yield strain hardening for all volume fractions of MTM nanoparticles, thus confirming the efficacy of the proposed constitutive model. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.