The wide range of available fi llers makes it possible not only to infl uence important service characteristics of polymeric materials, such as their strength, thermal and electrical conductivity, density, decorative properties, etc., but also to achieve a favourable "price/quality" ratio of polymer products. However, when particles are introduced into polymers, the deformation properties of the polymers deteriorate [1, 2]. This problem becomes particularly acute when developing composites based on thermoplastic polymers. In most cases, at a certain concentration of particles, usually not exceeding 10-15 vol%, there is a sharp deterioration in the deformation properties of these materials [3, 4]. The elongation at break decreases from several hundreds to 10-20%. This effect has been termed embrittlement of fi nely fi lled composites. The embrittlement of composites is a negative factor that narrows the areas of their application.
An investigation was made of the influence of the filler particle shape on the nature of failure of PP-based composites. It was established that the filler particle shape affects the types of defect formed and the nature of failure of PP-based composites. The introduction of talc or wollastonite particles into PP leads to brittle failure of the composite up to its upper yield point. When spherical particles are used, the material retains plastic properties, and rupture occurs on neck propagation.
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