Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulations on Size Effect of Glassy Polyethylene Particles

JH Zhao and S Nagao and ZL Zhang and H Kristiansen, JOURNAL OF NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY, 10, 7340-7342 (2010).

DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2010.2922

The size effect on mechanical properties of glassy polyethylene (PE) nanoscale particles has been investigated by extensive coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. The diameter of the PE particles varies in the range of 5-40 nm, we confirm that the particle's behaviour under compressive stress strongly depends on its size-the smaller the particle diameter is, the stiffer the particle behaves. The present mechanical responses of compressed particles are in good agreement with our previous experimental phenomena of micron-sized polymer particles measured by a nanoindentation-based flat punch method. Possible reasons for the size effect are discussed.

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