Analytical modeling of tensile strength of particulate-filled composites

Based on Christensen and Lo's (11) three-layer sphere model, a two-layer built-in model is proposed to represent particulate-filled composites. Following Papanicolaou and Bakos' (14) procedure for a particle embedded in an infinite matrix model and using the rule-of-mixtures approach, formulations estimating the tensile strength of particulate-filled composites are developed. Unlike Papanicolaou and Bakos' formulations, the formulations developed in the present paper can characterize the effect of particle size, particle size distribution, and particle clustering on the tensile strength of the composites. A reasonable agreement is found between the predicted tensile strength and the experimental results found in the literature. Parameters affecting the tensile strength of particulate-filled composites are discussed via the calculated results.