Setting Stress Distribution in Particle Reinforced Polymer Composites

Abstract

The effect of the geometric arrangement of spherical aggregates in a highly filled polymer composite (such as polymer concrete) on the setting stresses, due to resin shrink age during cure was investigated using three-dimensional finite element analysis. Simple cubic and face-centered cubic arrangements of perfect spherical aggregate were con sidered as well as a hexagonal-close-packed arrangement of hexagonal, prism-shaped aggregate. The shape of the aggregate has a very significant effect on the setting stresses. The effects of packing factor of aggregate particles were investigated. The higher the pack ing factor of spherical particles the lower the magnitude of setting stresses throughout the polymer composite system.