Particle-reinforced composites are widely used in industry, primarily due to their versatile fabrication methods and the ability to tailor their properties. In many cases, extensive experimental campaigns are required to determine the optimal characteristics of the system to enhance specific propert...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: García, Israel García, Justo, Jesús, Zurita Van-Dinter, Alejandro, Mantič, Vladislav
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Académie des sciences 2025-05-01
Series:Comptes Rendus. Mécanique
Subjects:
Online Access:https://comptes-rendus.academie-sciences.fr/mecanique/articles/10.5802/crmeca.293/
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849247521048625152
author García, Israel García
Justo, Jesús
Zurita Van-Dinter, Alejandro
Mantič, Vladislav
author_facet García, Israel García
Justo, Jesús
Zurita Van-Dinter, Alejandro
Mantič, Vladislav
author_sort García, Israel García
collection DOAJ
description Particle-reinforced composites are widely used in industry, primarily due to their versatile fabrication methods and the ability to tailor their properties. In many cases, extensive experimental campaigns are required to determine the optimal characteristics of the system to enhance specific properties. Micromechanical models can serve as a useful alternative or initial approach during the material design process. One of the easiest characteristics that can be modified is the size of the reinforcement, which, according to some models and preliminary evidence, can significantly affect the mechanical properties of the material.The objective of this work is to experimentally evaluate the size effect of reinforcement on the composite strength and to compare it with the predictions by the coupled criterion of finite fracture mechanics (CC-FFM). A secondary objective is to visualize the initiation of the failure mechanism, which starts at the particle-matrix interface and progresses toward a crack that splits the specimen. To achieve this, a new specimen design is proposed along with an optimized fabrication procedure. The tests were recorded using a high-speed camera, which allowed for the visualization of crack initiation at the particle-matrix interface.The experimental results show a strong size effect, where smaller particles correspond to higher apparent strength. The results are in relatively good agreement with the predictions of the CC-FFM.
format Article
id doaj-art-ce6ffd44daf748e09dc3b6f46194fdcd
institution Kabale University
issn 1873-7234
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Académie des sciences
record_format Article
series Comptes Rendus. Mécanique
spelling doaj-art-ce6ffd44daf748e09dc3b6f46194fdcd2025-08-20T03:58:11ZengAcadémie des sciencesComptes Rendus. Mécanique1873-72342025-05-01353G162764610.5802/crmeca.29310.5802/crmeca.293García, Israel García0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3894-5304Justo, Jesús1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1396-8056Zurita Van-Dinter, Alejandro2Mantič, Vladislav3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7569-7442Departamento de Mecánica de Medios Continuos y Teoría de Estructuras, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Escuela Politécnica Superior. Universidad de Sevilla. Camino de los Descubrimienos s/n, 41092 Sevilla, SpainDepartamento de Mecánica de Medios Continuos y Teoría de Estructuras, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Escuela Politécnica Superior. Universidad de Sevilla. Camino de los Descubrimienos s/n, 41092 Sevilla, SpainDepartamento de Mecánica de Medios Continuos y Teoría de Estructuras, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Escuela Politécnica Superior. Universidad de Sevilla. Camino de los Descubrimienos s/n, 41092 Sevilla, SpainDepartamento de Mecánica de Medios Continuos y Teoría de Estructuras, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Escuela Politécnica Superior. Universidad de Sevilla. Camino de los Descubrimienos s/n, 41092 Sevilla, SpainParticle-reinforced composites are widely used in industry, primarily due to their versatile fabrication methods and the ability to tailor their properties. In many cases, extensive experimental campaigns are required to determine the optimal characteristics of the system to enhance specific properties. Micromechanical models can serve as a useful alternative or initial approach during the material design process. One of the easiest characteristics that can be modified is the size of the reinforcement, which, according to some models and preliminary evidence, can significantly affect the mechanical properties of the material.The objective of this work is to experimentally evaluate the size effect of reinforcement on the composite strength and to compare it with the predictions by the coupled criterion of finite fracture mechanics (CC-FFM). A secondary objective is to visualize the initiation of the failure mechanism, which starts at the particle-matrix interface and progresses toward a crack that splits the specimen. To achieve this, a new specimen design is proposed along with an optimized fabrication procedure. The tests were recorded using a high-speed camera, which allowed for the visualization of crack initiation at the particle-matrix interface.The experimental results show a strong size effect, where smaller particles correspond to higher apparent strength. The results are in relatively good agreement with the predictions of the CC-FFM.https://comptes-rendus.academie-sciences.fr/mecanique/articles/10.5802/crmeca.293/Size effectParticle-reinforced compositesSpherical inhomogeneityCoupled criterionFinite fracture mechanicsExperimental fracture mechanics
spellingShingle García, Israel García
Justo, Jesús
Zurita Van-Dinter, Alejandro
Mantič, Vladislav
Comptes Rendus. Mécanique
Size effect
Particle-reinforced composites
Spherical inhomogeneity
Coupled criterion
Finite fracture mechanics
Experimental fracture mechanics
topic Size effect
Particle-reinforced composites
Spherical inhomogeneity
Coupled criterion
Finite fracture mechanics
Experimental fracture mechanics
url https://comptes-rendus.academie-sciences.fr/mecanique/articles/10.5802/crmeca.293/