Creep failure mechanisms in a particulate-filled epoxy resin

The deformation-induced volume damage in a series of creep specimens is examined in this investigation in order to improve the basic understanding of creep failure in particulate-reinforced epoxy resins. The results are correlated with the fracture surface morphology reported elsewhere. Volume damage was found to consist of matrix shear yielding, silica-particle debonding and matrix cracking. Fracture is shown to be initiated by shear yielding and debonding which is followed by sub-critical crack growth, demonstrating the importance of volume damage in fracture. Sub-critical crack growth occurs by debonding or by void coalescence depending on the temperature and loading conditions. The temperature and loading dependence of volume damage and the above crack propagation mechanisms are examined and presented graphically in a damage mechanism map.