Particle reinforced polymers are of interest because of their low density and desirable mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. By adjusting the particle type, size, shape, and spatial distribution, significant changes in those properties can be obtained. Efforts to understand the role that the particle reinforcement plays in the overall mechanical behavior of the material system has historically been performed via ex-situ characterization and testing methods. This investigation aims, for the first time to the best of the authors knowledge, to observe not only the ex-situ parameter-induced effects on material properties but also the microstructure evolution via in-situ scanning electron microscopy coupled with Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) techniques with the objective to link the progressive activation and development of damage mechanisms to the measured mechanical behavior. This investigation reports a correlation between particle size and distribution and the measured progressive failure in two types of alumina trihydrate filled poly (methyl methacrylate) composites which provides useful insights into the design of such class of materials.

颗粒增强的聚合物因其低密度和理想的机械，热和电性能而受到关注。通过调整粒子的类型，大小，形状和空间分布，可以获得这些特性的重大变化。过去一直通过异位表征和测试方法来努力了解颗粒增强剂在材料系统整体机械性能中的作用。本次调查的目的，首次以最好的作者的知识，要注意观察，不仅电子X-现场通过对材料性能参数引起的效果，而且还组织演变原位扫描电镜结合无损评估（NDE）技术，目的是将破坏机理的逐步激活和发展与所测量的机械行为联系起来。这项研究报告了两种类型的三水合氧化铝填充的聚（甲基丙烯酸甲酯）复合材料的粒度和分布与测得的渐进破坏之间的相关性，这为此类材料的设计提供了有用的见识。