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Microscopy and formation of polymer/metal composites
Author(s) -
VESELY D.,
DISLEY P.,
PISACKA J.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1995.tb03550.x
Subject(s) - materials science , high density polyethylene , composite material , polymer , polypropylene , polystyrene , microstructure , melting point , tin , polymer blend , polyethylene , metallurgy , copolymer
Summary A new class of materials, formed by dispersion of low‐melting‐point metal alloys in a polymer matrix, has been studied from the point of view of microstructure, interfacial interaction and mechanical properties. The phases in these composites were formed in the same way as for polymer blends and were thus dependent on viscosity ratio, concentration, surface tension and interfacial interactions. Metal alloys of tin and bismuth (Sn/Bi) were mixed with high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene (PS) at elevated temperatures. Some preliminary investigations of lead and tin (Pb/Sn) alloys blended with HDPE, PS, polypropylene (PP), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene‐terephtalate (PET), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) and Polyvinylchloride (PVC) were also undertaken. The composites were characterized by light and electron microscopy, image analysis, electrical conductivity measurements and impact testing. It is shown that the low‐melting‐point metal alloys can be dispersed in polymers to a submicrometre level by blending. The particle size distribution follows an exponential function, which means that very fine as well as large particles are present. The equilibrium between dispersion and coalescence is very rapidly established during mixing. The average particle size can be controlled by the properties of the matrix, concentration of the metal and processing conditions. An investigation of interfaces revealed that in some cases a chemical interaction between the metal and the polymer can occur. This is apparent by observation of degradation, fluorescence and changes in mechanical properties.