Modeling of Creep Behavior for Graphene Filled Vinyl Ester Nano-Composites

The creep resistance of thermoset vinyl ester-based nanocomposites is studied by adding different weight percents of exfoliated graphite filler, characterized at different temperatures under constant loading. The creep response of these nanocomposites was analyzed using the TA Instruments Model Q800- DMA. Results showed that the nano-filler at some temperatures may hinder slippage and reorientation of polymer chain that, in turn, shows higher creep resistance for nanocomposites than the neat matrix. At a lower temperature, poor creep resistance was observed for neat matrix as compared to nano materials tested; however, at elevated temperatures (beyond the glass transition temperature), creep resistance in nanocomposites becomes close to that of neat vinyl ester.To fully understand the complex creep deformation of polymeric based nanocomposites, a physical modeling is conducted to study the structure-property relationship as a function of filler content. Parametric studies for the suggested model, along with variations in the simulated model parameters, illustrate various deformation mechanisms. The predicted results from the models quite well agree with the obtained experimental results.