A multiscale model to describe nanocomposite fracture toughness enhancement by the plastic yielding of nanovoids

The high fracture toughness improvements exhibited by nanofilled polymers is commonly thought of as due to the large amount of energy dissipated at the nanoscale. In the present work, a multiscale modelling strategy to assess the nanocomposite toughening due to plastic yielding of nanovoids is presented. The model accounts for the emergence of an interphase with mechanical properties different from those of the matrix.