Interrelation between moisture absorption,mechanical behavior,and extent of the boundary interphase in particulate composites

The influence of moisture absorption on the extent of the boundary interphase in particulate composites is thoroughly studied. It was found that, during the process of moisture absorption there is a variation of the extent of the boundary interphase, closely related to the degradation of the mechanical behavior of the composite, as well as to the percentage amount of moisture absorbed. An explanation of the observed relationship was advanced, based on a theoretical mechanism of absorption. This study complements a previous one, where the observed degradation of the thermomechanical properties of particulate composites due to moisture absorption was shown to be intimately interrelated with the state and extent of the interphase between fillers and matrix.