In the pull-out testing of a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) in MWNT reinforced composites, sword-sheath extraction is an observed mechanism, in which at least the outermost layer of the MWNT remains connected to its surrounding matrix whereas the inner layer(s) slide relatively. This paper presents a MD simulation to investigate the sword-sheath extraction behavior and then compare with normal debonding extraction of a whole MWNT. It is identified that the two extractions have similar pullout force-displacement behavior with sword-sheath requiring less peak forces than debonding extraction.
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