Analysis and prediction of particulate composite mechanical behavior using a nonlinear micromechanical theory

The objective of this study was to develop a micromechanical model that would account for material nonlinearity due to matrix nonlinear behavior and inclusion debonding in polymeric particulate composites.; An existing model was improved by using a new modulus prediction routine based on the work of Mori-Tanaka and Ju-Chen. This routine accounted for particle interaction and described more accurately the effects of a debonded inclusion on overall mechanical properties. Predictions for glass bead/high density polyethylene (HDPE) and glass bead/polyurethane (PU) composite behavior showed that debonded particles modeled as vacuoles gave better results than those modeled as voids. This model could predict mechanical behavior of highly loaded composites if a representative value for adhesion energy was available.; The final micromechanical model improved the previous model by characterizing the matrix as a nonlinear elastic material. A critical analysis using data from glass bead/hydroxl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) composites showed that debonding of largest to smallest particles throughout the monotonic strain history was a reasonable assumption. As well, particle interaction could be influenced by particle size and surface treatment. There were indications that particles did not fully debond. A sensitivity analyses revealed that overall behavior was controlled by particle-matrix adhesive characteristics. For glass bead/HTPB, glass bead/PU and glass bead/HDPE composites, the model was capable of predicting mechanical behavior as long as suitable adhesive characteristic values were available.