Research Summary: Object Oriented Finite Element Analysis for Materials Science*: A Tool for Viscoelastic Polymer Composite Deformation Analysis

Abstract

A public domain code "Object Oriented Finite element analysis for materials science" (OOF) has been extended to include tools for analysis of viscoelastic materials. Utility of these tools has been discussed along with possible applications in this publication. Added features in OOF include means to quantitatively analyze the spatiotemporal response of a composite polymeric material in dynamic as well as in static deformation conditions. These coupled with the existing features of OOF, in particular, the complete analysis of mechanical characteristics of materials provide a comprehensive tool for the studies of time dependent behavior of variety of materials including polymeric solid composites, polymer nanocomposites, polymer blends, block copolymers, and so on. The viscoelastic module draws its strength from the underlying OOF architecture to provide a macroscopic evaluation of mechanical properties using microstructural details. An application of this module for deformation analysis is the characterization of mechanical behavior a polymer nanocomposites. The deformation behaviour of polymer composite depends on the combined characteristic relaxation times of its constituents as well as its microstructural details. Results of analysis are expected to provide better insight into the role of microstructure as well as the role of interphase on the average mechanical