Finite Element Analysis of Polymer Networks with Heterogeneous Random Porous Microstructure

An assumption in the micromechanical analysis of polymers is that the constitutive polymeric media is nonporous. Non-porosity of media, however, is merely a simplifying assumption. In this research paper, this assumption is neglected and polymer networks with a different porosity volume fraction are studied. A random morphology description function is used to model the porosity of the network. Nonlinear finite element analyzes are conducted to perform structural analysis of porous polymer networks using an ABAQUS/CAE finite element code. The results reveal that porosity plays a significant role in the mechanical behavior of polymer networks and may increase the maximum von Mises stress drastically.