Multiscale analysis on toughness enhancement of epoxy/silica nanocomposites with interfacial partial and progressive debonding

摘要: In this study, multiscale analysis models with particle phase of spherical silica and matrix phase of epoxy are constructed to observe toughness enhancement of the nanocomposites when partial and progressive debonding occurs at interface of the two phases. The interfacial debonding-induced nanovoid growth is known as one of the main toughening mechanisms which caused by internal silica nanoparticles. The mechanism consists of two sub mechanisms–interfacial debonding and subsequent plastic yielding of matrix. Multiscale framework of both toughening mechanisms is constructed with considering interfacial partial and progressive debonding of nanoparticles by applying finite element models. Influences of the specific debonding area and interfacial fracture energy with varying particle volume fraction on the dissipated plastic energy of matrix domain is investigated. As a result, increase of toughness enhancement is observed at increasing specific debonding area, particle volume fraction and interfacial fracture energy. The results provide insights for applying partial and progressive debonding phenomenon in multiscale analysis on the toughness enhancement of nanocomposites.