Stress distribution epoxy polymer matrix

We have used this model to investigate stress distributions in and around the rubber particle, or around a void, in a matrix of epoxy polymer. This chapter describes the modeling of stress concentrations in rubber-toughened epoxy and gives a simple model for predicting the fracture energy, Gc, of such a material. 

An unusual feature of the work is the modeling of an isotropic (random) distribution of the montmorillonite within the polymer (continuous) matrix. The work above focused on modeling the composites with the montmorillonite aligned in the direction of the applied stress. This alignment is important for the full benefit of reinforcements of the anisotropic morphology of montmorillonite to be realized. This isotropic model predicts the modulus for epoxy and high viscosity polyester-montmorillonite composites well. 

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