# MICROSTRUCTURAL EFFECTS ON DAMAGE BEHAVIOUR IN PARTICLE REINFORCED COMPOSITES

> Title: MICROSTRUCTURAL EFFECTS ON DAMAGE BEHAVIOUR IN PARTICLE REINFORCED COMPOSITES Page Range: p.1-8 Author(s): Kwon Y W; Liu C T File size: 262K Download the pdf (subscribers only) Buy the pdf (non-subscribers) Journal: Polymers and Polymer Composites Issue Year: ppc Volume: 11...

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Published: 2003-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
Categories: Polymers and Polymer Composites

**Title: MICROSTRUCTURAL EFFECTS ON DAMAGE BEHAVIOUR IN PARTICLE REINFORCED COMPOSITES**
 Page Range: p.1-8
 Author(s): Kwon Y W; Liu C T
 File size: 262K
 ![](http://dload.gif) [Download the pdf](http://journals.asp?Page=111&JournalDownload=ON&JournalType=ppc&JournalIssue=ppc11-1&JournalID=100052&JIP=) (subscribers only)
 ![](http://handbuy.gif) Buy the pdf (non-subscribers)
 Journal: Polymers and Polymer Composites
 Issue Year: ppc
 Volume: 11
 Issue No: No. 1

**Abstract**
 A discussion is presented on the effects of non-uniform, random particle distribution on damage initiation and growth, leading to short cracks and breakage of particle reinforced composite specimens. Damage was described a the micro-level, and results were compared qualitatively and quantitatively with experimental observation, with good agreement. It was found that non-uniform, random particle distribution yielded sporadic crack initiation and growth within a uniform tensile specimen. No local crack propagated beyond a certain size, and breakdown of the specimens was not caused by the continuous growth of a single critical crack. Rather, it is maintained, coalescence of neighbouring sporadic short cracks resulted in the breakage of the specimens. The use of computer simulation demonstrated that random particle distribution affected the strength of the composite, but not its effective stiffness. However, a pre-existing crack in the specimen before loading, the effect of the random particle distribution on the initial crack and strength of the composite proved to be near negligible. 13 refs.

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