There have been a number of review papers on layered silicate and carbon nanotube reinforced polymer nanocomposites, in which the fillers have high aspect ratios. Particulate–polymer nanocomposites containing fillers with small aspect ratios are also an important class of polymer composites. However, they have been apparently overlooked. Thus, in this paper, detailed discussions on the effects of particle size, particle/matrix interface adhesion and particle loading on the stiffness, strength and toughness of such particulate–polymer composites are reviewed. To develop high performance particulate composites, it is necessary to have some basic understanding of the stiffening, strengthening and toughening mechanisms of these composites. A critical evaluation of published experimental results in comparison with theoretical models is given.

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Effects of particle size, particle/matrix interface adhesion and particle loading on mechanical properties of particulate–polymer composites

A concerted survey is presented of the existing theories for predicting the strength and modulus of particulate-filled polymeric composites. The macroscopic behaviour of particulate composites is affected by the size, shape, and the distribution of the inclusions. The interfacial adhesion between the matrix and inclusion is also important. The limitation of theoretical models in describing these parameters and expressing the experimental data on the macroscopic behaviour is demonstrated.

A review of particulate reinforcement theories for polymer composites

Effect of inclusion size on mechanical properties of polymeric composites with micro and nano particles

Influence of interface interaction on the ultimate tensile properties of polymer composites

The investigation outlined in the preceding paper has been extended to cover the effect of particle/matrix adhesion upon crack propagation in an epoxy resin reinforced with spherical glass particles. The behaviour has again been interpreted in terms of crack pinning and blunting. It has again been shown that in the absence of blunting a critical crack opening displacement criterion can be applied. The strength of the particle/matrix interface is found to affect both the crack propagation behaviour and the appearance of the fracture surface. It is also found to have a profound effect upon the fracture strength of the composites. The best overall mechanical properties are obtained for composites containing particles treated with coupling agent.

Crack propagation in a glass particle-filled epoxy resin

A theoretical relationship has been developed which relates the ultimate strength of a composite containing spherical fillers to the size, volume fraction, and surface adhesion of the dispersed phase. The theoretical predictions are compared to experimental data using glass beads of known diameters in polyester resin matrix. Results were compared for the case of poor adhesion between the glass beads and the matrix and for the case of good adhesion. The derived relationships should be useful in helping to optimize the strength properties of particulate reinforced systems.

The strength of polymeric composites containing spherical fillers

The idea that, with filled polymers, length fraction, area fraction, and volume fraction of filler are different appears to have gained wide acceptance. The fallacy of this, except for special directions in ordered arrangements, is demonstrated. This misunderstanding has led to widespread misinterpretation of experimental results in this field.

Misconceptions about filled polymers

A theoretical expression has been derived to describe the strain behavior of rigid plastic composites containing spherical filler particles. By combining the predicted ultimate strength values with the appropriate modulus relationship, the complete stress–strain history and corresponding fracture energy may be estimated. The theoretical predictions were compared with experimental values obtained for a general-purpose polyester resin containing spherical glass beads. The influence of silane coupling agents and filler adhesion was also evaluated. Although the experimental values showed considerable scatter, the general trend agreed fairly well with the theoretical predictions.

J. Leidner

Papers

The strength of polymeric composites containing spherical fillers

Misconceptions about filled polymers

Strain behavior of particulate‐filled composites