文摘
High-performance sealants using rubber composites containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were developed in order to probe and excavate oil in deeper wells. However, the stress–strain behavior and the reinforcing mechanism of highly concentrated MWNT/rubber composites subjected to large deformation remain largely unexplored. Here we report on the complete stress–strain relationships of MWNT/rubber composites under uniaxial tension before rupture, with a suggestion of a novel reinforcement effect of high concentration of MWNTs. A theoretical model is developed to understand the reinforcing mechanism and estimate the mechanical properties of MWNT/rubber composites under large deformation. We have demonstrated that persistence length and reorientation of MWNTs during stretch have a significant impact on mechanical properties, such as the modulus of the rubber composite. These results provide guidelines for developing MWNT-reinforced composites to achieve desired nonlinear and extreme mechanical performance for a wide range of applications.