DYNAMIC MECHANICAL STUDIES OF POLYURETHANE COMPOSITES FILLED WITH GLASS MICROFILLERS

• Published in: International journal of polymeric materials 2004-05, Vol.53 (5), p.465-474
• Main Authors: Chuang, Tsu-Hwang, Yang, Thomas C. K., Chang, An-Hwa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; glass microfiller, PU composite, dynamic mechanical analysis, glass transition temperature, Young; Polymer industry, paints, wood; s modulus; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0091-4037; 1563-535X
• DOI: 10.1080/0091403049044452

Ceramic microspheres with unique composition and diameter, modified by different surface treatments, were blended with polyurethane (PU) in various proportions to improve the visco-elastic and mechanical properties of PU composites. Results of dynamic mechanical spectra indicate that the introduction of micro-beads H50, D32 and K37 into the PU network leads to the shift of glass transition temperature. Besides, the intensity of loss tanδ of PU composites decreased as a function of the filler's concentration, due to reduced concentration of polymer backbones. Both the shift of Tg as well as the changes of loss tanδ show that the introduction of microspheres not only creates physical bonding with PU but also causes steric effects due to the adsorption of N−H and C=O functional groups of PU on the filler surface. However, the introduction of various microfillers shows the composites to have different Young's modulus. This evidence shows that the rigidity and elasticity of polymer composite can be finely tuned by the introduction of various surface-treated microfillers as well as the amount of filler added.