A semi‐empirical model of the influence of the size of micrometer fillers on the elastic properties of polymer‐matrix composites

Abstract

A semi‐empirical model of the influence of the size of micrometer fillers on the elastic moduli of polymer‐matrix composites is proposed. The modulus of elasticity of the composite is the sum of the modulus of elasticity at infinite filler size and an exponential function depending on filler size. The calculated dependencies contain two empirical parameters, and the model is identified based on the results of an experiment with two filler sizes. Composites with the minimum and maximum filler size are selected among the studied options. The scope of application of the model was studied by varying the filler size and boundary values of Young's modulus and eight grades of polymer‐matrix composites. The filler size varied over a wide range from 3.5 to 140 μm. The range of changes in the boundary values was also significant, and depending on the brand of the composite, it was 7%–43% of Young's modulus . For all variants of particle size and the range of changes in the boundary values of the Young's modulus, the calculation results are in good agreement with the experimental data.Highlights Semi‐empirical model of the effect of filler size on the elastic moduli polymer composites. The calculated dependences contain two empirical parameters. Model identification is based on the results of an experiment with two filler sizes. Explore composites with minimum and maximum filler size. Good agreement of calculation results with experimental data is obtained.