AN INVESTIGATION ON THE TENSILE-STRENGTH OF PARTICULATE FILLED POLYMERIC COMPOSITES

The validity of a semi-empirical equation previously developed for the yield strength evaluation of particulate composites is extended to pr edict the ultimate tensile strength of composites that do not show lar ge macroscopic plastic behaviour. A good correlation is obtained betwe en the theoretical values derived from the equation proposed and the e xperimental results from composites filled with both surface treated a nd untreated particles. A dimensionless parameter related to the fille r-matrix interface is obtained and used to judge how effective a surfa ce treatment is in order to enhance the mechanical properties of sever al particulate filled composites. (C) 1998 Chapman & Hall.