Description
Cellulosic network structures are potentially a sustainable and ecological alternative to current synthetic foams.The development of the material and the process is assisted through a micro-mechanical model of the structure. This model is employed in order to identify the influence of numerous parameters on the mechanical properties of the material. Investigated parameters are related to the fibre (length, cross-section, kinks, curls, fibrillation, strength and stiffness) and the morphology of the network (pore size, relative pore volume).
A tool was developed that automatically generates a micromechanical model representative of the fibrous structure for a given set of fibre and foam parameters. The generator returns a runnable input deck for a finite element simulation and can generate bulky or planar fibrous network structures.
The numerical model was validated against data from experimental tests of planar and bulky cellulosic network structures. A first parametric study was conducted, showing that fibrillation and directionality are key parameters to increase stiffness and strength of the foam. As an outlook, approaches that will improve the model’s fidelity are identified.
| Period | 20 Oct 2022 |
|---|---|
| Event title | 7th International Conference on Multifunctional, Hybrid and Nanomaterials |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Genoa, ItalyShow on map |