Development of an image-based numerical model for predicting the microstructure–property relationship in alumina trihydrate (ATH) filled poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)

Abstract

Particulate composites are found in a wide range of applications. Their heterogeneous microstructure affects their bulk behavior and structural performance, however tools for predicting this important structure-property relationship are still lacking. In this study, a numerical method that can provide predictions of the mechanical response of a particulate polymeric matrix composite as a function of volume fraction and particle mean diameter is presented. The work is derived for an alumina trihydrate filled poly(methyl methacrylate) but the methodology is generic and can be used for any particulate composite. Representative Volume elements are determined through images obtained from scanning electron microscopy. The model takes into account the possibility of failure through interface debonding as well as cracks through the matrix. The model predictions for the modulus and fracture strength of the composites are validated through independent experiments on the composite. The numerical results are also used to qualitatively explain the trends measured regarding the fracture toughness of the composites. Compared to other literature on particulate composites, our study is the first to report accurate stress-strain distributions as well as fracture predictions whilst all the necessary model parameters defining the failure criteria are all derived through independent experiments. This paves R. Zhang · J. Y. S. Li-Mayer · M. N. Charalambides (B) Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK e-mail: m.charalambides@imperial.ac.uk the way for a relatively simple methodology for determining structure-property relationships in composites design, enabling smarter material utilization and optimal mechanical properties.

Effect of alumina on the properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/alumina composites obtained by melt blending

“…However, when compared to glass, PMMA has high flammability, low resistance to abrasion and to scratch. Due to these limitations, different types of fillers [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] have been used in an attempt to improve the properties of PMMA, forming PMMA matrix composites.…”

Mechanical Characterisation and Cohesive Law Calibration for a Nitrocellulose Based–Cyclotetramethylene Tetranitramine (HMX) Polymer Bonded Explosive

“…Several studies have shown that the PBX material properties depend on the binder system, volume fraction and crystal size distribution [1,[9][10][11][12][13]. The polymer binder system is often challenging to characterise owing to its highly nonlinear, time-dependent behaviour [10,14].…”

“…Several studies observed that interfacial debonding always initiated around the larger particles in the high explosive PBX 9501 as the larger particles act as stress concentration sites [9,12,20,21]. In addition, Fleming et al [22] and Kimura and Oyumi [23] showed that the particle size also affected the high explosive performance; for the same volume fraction, particles with a larger size distribution were more sensitive to shock ignition compared to those with smaller particle size.…”

“…Furthermore, they developed a method to determine the cohesive law for the interface between filler and matrix for the high explosive PBX 9501 [6] using the digital image correlation technique and an extended Mori-Tanaka method considering the effect of interfacial debonding. Zhang et al [12] also used this technique to measure the cohesive zone parameters for PMMA/ATH binary composites with varying volume fractions and mean particle sizes [12,13]. Finally, Rae et al [26] also used the DIC method to obtain strain and displacement plots at the micro-structural level for PBX materials.…”

Materiales compuestos de superficie sólida fabricados a partir de un jarabe de polimetilmetacrilato, trihidróxido de aluminio y cargas minerales naturales

“…Zhang [11] desarrolla modelos numéricos capaces de predecir las propiedades mecánicas de materiales compuestos reforzados con partículas, con aplicaciones específicas en materiales compuestos de PMMA/ATH. Los resultados teóricos fueron comparados con resultados experimentales obtenidos por Zhang en un estudio previo [12].…”