Influence of interfacial phenomena on the mechanical properties of particulate composite membranes

Abstract New models are proposed to describe the mechanical behavior of particulate composite membranes. The mechanical properties of particulate composite membranes are strongly influenced by interfacial phenomena. When adhesion between the filler particles and matrix is poor, the mechanical properties of composite membranes deteriorate with the addition of filler to the matrix. The addition of filler particles to the matrix has a reinforcement effect when adhesion between the particles and matrix is good. The presence of interphase (interfacial shell) around the particles can strongly influence the mechanical properties of particulate composite membranes. Some of the key factors affecting the mechanical properties of composite membranes are interphase‐to‐matrix moduli ratio, core‐to‐shell moduli ratio, and shell‐to‐core radii ratio. Theproposed models are verified using 15 sets of experimental data on the mechanical properties of particulate composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers