Simulation of particulate-filled composite deformation diagrams on the basis of a constitutive model of large plastic deformation for a polymer matrix

Abstract

Deformation diagrams of particulate-filled polymers have been calculated on the basis of specific constitutive equations [1] for large plastic deformation of the polymer. Composite structure is represented by the Hashin polydisperse model [2]. Original finite-element (FE) code with triangular elements has been elaborated and used for the numerical solution of boundary value problems. Local achievement of a critical value by the elastic main strain was used as a fracture criterion. Engineering (force-elongation) diagrams were found to exhibit maxima for arbitrary filler fraction if the interfacial bond was perfect and for low loading at zero adhesion. Stress-strain diagrams with a yield maximum and draw minimum provide macroscopic neck-type localization. Further, the loading in the case of facilitated deboading results in the diminution of the difference between maximum and minimum drawing forces and then in the disappearance of the latter, which in turn provides the transition from localized to macrouni-form deformation. Young's modulus and the yield stress increase with filling in the case of absolute adhesion and decrease in the opposite case. Ultimate elongation sharply drops with an increase in filler fraction, and embrittlement occurs at a small fraction of inorganic particles if a perfect interfacial bond is present. Contrary, a decrease in ultimate elongation is much more gradual, and composites conserve ductile properties of the matrix up to a high portion of inclusions. The laws found qualitatively coincide with what is observed for real materials.