Title: Predicting elastic modulus of particle filled composites

Authors: Cemal Basaran; Eray Gunel

Addresses: Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, 243 Ketter Hall, SUNY Buffalo, NY 14260, USA ' Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, 243 Ketter Hall, SUNY Buffalo, NY 14260, USA

Abstract: A multi-particle unit cell model of PMMA/ATH composite with different volume fractions was employed to study the influence of interphase properties and inter-particle distance on elastic modulus. The model constitutes amorphous polymer matrix, rigid fillers and interphase between filler and matrix. Polymer matrix was modelled using a thermodynamically consistent dual-mechanism viscoplastic model, whereas fillers were assumed as linear elastic. In numerical simulations, the interphase between filler and matrix was modelled through a user defined interphase model and matrix material was modelled through a user defined material model.

Keywords: particle filled composites; interphase properties; unit cell model; interparticle distance; particle debonding; elastic modulus; alumina trihydrate; ATH; poly methyl methacrylate; PMMA; viscoplasticity; viscoplastic modelling; numerical simulation; matrix materials; rigid fillers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMSI.2013.055109

International Journal of Materials and Structural Integrity, 2013 Vol.7 No.1/2/3, pp.100 - 108

Published online: 12 Jul 2014 *

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