A modeling approach to study effects of liquid infiltration on the dispersion mechanism of particle agglomerates is presented. Specifically, the locus and the corresponding mechanism of failure are predicted using a discrete element method for solving the relative displacement of segments of the agglomerate as influenced by the various forces acting within the system. The phenomenon of adhesive failure is demonstrated by the simulation of the agglomerate behavior under specific extents of infiltration and the associated structural rearrangement that can occur due to capillary pressure effects. These modeling results are related to experimental observations of dispersion of fumed silica agglomerates wherein the infiltrated outer layer detaches from the dry core at reduced levels of applied stress. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.