ABSTRACT
In the last decade, the mechanical response of hollow thermoplastic microspheres-elastomer matrix composites has been largely investigated. The majority of the studies focuses on the stress-strain response, especially under compressive uniaxial loading conditions. In the same way, the present paper focuses on the volumetric response, i.e. volume change vs. hydrostatic pressure, under uniaxial compression. The change in volume is measured thanks to the detection of sample edge throughout the test. The existence of a critical stress for which the material presents a significant change in its volumetric response is highlighted.
