Finite element analysis of toughening for a particle‐reinforced composite

Abstract An axisymmetric spherical cell is used to quantitatively predict the toughening of a glass particle‐reinforced 2,2‐bis[4(2‐hydroxy‐3 methacryloyloxypropyloxy)‐phenyl]propane/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (BisGMA/TEGDMA) polymer composite. The effect of a novel interphase consisting of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, and residual stresses on composite toughness is studied. Results show that the fracture toughness of the composite increases with increasing interphase thickness, while the Young's modulus is not reduced significantly if the interphase thickness is less than 10% of the particle diameter. The negative strain originating from the curing process reduces fracture toughness, while an imagined positive strain increases fracture toughness significantly. POLYM COMPOS., 27:360–367, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers