A Review of In Situ Mechanical Characterization of Polymer Nanocomposites: Prospect and Challenges

Abstract

Mechanics at the nanoscale is radically different from mechanics at the macroscale. Atomistic simulations have revealed this important fact, and experiments are being performed to support it. Specifically, in situ testing is being performed by researchers using different approaches with different material systems to interrogate the material at the nanoscale and prove or disprove many of the proposed models. This paper attempts to provide a fairly comprehensive review of the in situ testing that is being performed at the nanoscale, together with a brief description of the models that in situ testing are being used to verify. This review paper intends to primarily provide a broad snapshot of in situ testing of different nanocarbon-based polymeric nanocomposite materials.