Prediction for initiation of debonding damage and tensile stress–strain relation of glass-bead-filled modified polyphenylene oxide

A three-dimensional finite-element meso-cell model has been designed and constructed to predict initiation of the particle/polymer matrix debonding damage and non-linear stress–strain relation of particulate polymer composites (PPC). The meso-cell model consists of a micro-particle, an interface, and a matrix. The initiation of the debonding damage process has been predicted on the basis of a tensile criterion. An experimental investigation has been made on glass beads reinforced polyphenylene oxides for verification of the meso-cell model and the meso-mechanical finite-element technique. In situ scanning electron microscopy has been adopted to study the particle–matrix debonding process in real time under tensile deformation. The predicted results have been found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. The results of the in situ microscopic test also verify the correctness of the meso-cell model.