The fracture behavior and deformation mechanism of polypropylene (PP) composites filled with magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)(2)] were investigated. The incorporation of Mg(OH)(2) particles into the PP matrix led to an increase in Young's modulus and a significant reduction in the tensile yield strength and elongation at break. Surface modification on filler particles with stearic acid could reduce the interfacial adhesion between the filler and PP matrix and improve the stress transferability. The deformation mechanism of the Mg(OH)(2)/PP composites depended on the interfacial adhesion and the deformability of ligaments between microvoids caused by debonding. The deformability of the ligaments could be significantly improved by surface modification on the particle surface. The dependence of the deformation behavior of the Mg(OH)(2)/PP composites on the filler content was in accordance with percolation theory. The agglomeration of microvoids and fibrillation of ligaments in the PP composites with excessive filler content indicated the weak resistance of the polymer matrix to crack propagation and premature fracture in a brittle manner. (C) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.