The present study is undertaken to evaluate the effect of volume fraction on the results of Charpy impact test for the rubber matrix filled with nano sized silica particles composites. The Charpy impact tests are conducted in the temperature range 0°C and –10°C. The range of volume fraction of silica particles tested are between 11% to 25%. The critical energy release rate GIC of the rubber matrix composites filled with nano sized silica particles is affected by silica volume fraction and it is shown that the value of GIC decreases as volume fraction increases. In regions close to the initial crack tip, fracture processes such as matrix deformation, silica particle debonding and delamination, and/or pull out between particles and matrix which is ascertained by SEM photographs of Charpy impact fracture surfaces.

• 이정규(부경대학교 대학원 제어기계공학과) | Jung–Kyu LEE (Department of Control and Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School, Pukyong National University, Busan 608–739,Korea)
• 고성위(부경대학교 기계시스템공학과) | Sung Wi KOH (Department of Mechanical System Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 608–739, Korea) Corresponding author