A nonlinear theoretical model for prediction of mechanical behavior of particulate composites and experimental verification of the model predictions

Abstract A model for prediction the stress‐strain behavior of particulate composite over wide ranges of filler concentration and composite deformation has been developed through combination of Anderson's and Yilmizer's model. The constitutive equations are extracted from first law of thermodynamic and nonlinear dilatational effects which are produced by filler‐matrix debonding process. In addition to nonlinear behavior that has been resulted by filler‐matrix debonding and was presented by Yilmizer, the formation and growing of void or cavitations has been also introduced in this model, whereas Anderson's model, most important reason for deviation of linear behavior is filler‐matrix debonding and has been indicated by change of modulus. Model predictions for effects of the filler concentration and its particle size and particle size distribution for some matrix‐filler systems are compared with related experimental data from literature and some investigated systems in this work. An excellent agreement even better than prediction of Anderson's model between experimental data and model predictions can be observed in most cases especially for some concentrated systems. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1150–1155, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers