AN ASSESSMENT OF SUBSTRATE BINDER INTERACTIONS IN MODEL GRANULE SYSTEMS .3. LINEAR ELASTIC FRACTURE-MECHANICS

Linear elastic fracture mechanics was used to investigate the mechanic al properties of four model dry granule systems with porosities of bet ween 35% and 55%. The deformation and fracture behaviour of the agglom erates varied according to their porosity, the identity and quantity o f the binder component, and the nature of any substrate-binder interfa cial interactions. All the agglomerates deformed elastically but faile d by plastic deformation of the binder component, in agreement with pr eviously reported theoretical predictions.