Investigation of elastomer structure and adhesion effect on compression strength of ceramic-elastomer composites
Anna Boczkowska, Katarzyna Konopka, Jerzy Schmidt, Krzysztof J. Kurzydłowski Politechnika Warszawska, Wydział Inżynierii Materiałowej, ul. Wołoska 141, 02-507 Warszawa
Annals 4 No. 9, 2004 pages 41-46
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abstract Ceramic-elastomer composites, obtained via infiltration of porous ceramics of SiO2 by segmented urea-urethane elastomer with different hard segment content, were studied. As a result of the ceramics infiltration composites of two interpenetrating phases are obtained (Figs 1 and 2). They are composed in 60% of ceramics. The obtained microstructure with percolation of ceramic and polymeric phases gives the composites high compression strength together with the ability to absorption of the strain energy. Such composites retain theirs cohesion with the ability to return to initial shape after unloading. Presented results of the studies show the effect of the elastomer structure and adhesion between ceramics and elastomer on composite compression strength (Figs. 3 and 4). As a result of the soft and hard segments content (Tab. 1) the structure and properties of elastomers change. Selected mechanical properties of obtained elastomers are presented in Table 2. Also the residual porosity of the samples before and after infiltration was measured (Tab. 3). The results of the studies proof very good infiltration of the pores by elastomer. However, it depends on hard segments content and coupling agent content too. Region of the elastic deformation is observed at the diagram of compression test, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Next to the curve reached the maximum point, the decrease and after that the increase of stresses appears at the compression diagram. Simultaneously the increase of the strains is observed. The acoustic emission method was used to fully know the phenomena, which appears at the composites during theirs compression. Diagram of compression test with the history recorded by acoustic emission evaluated by count as a function of sample strain is shown in Figure 5. As a result of acoustic signal analysing six classes of acoustic emission signals evaluated by hits was found (Fig. 6). However, the research is at its early stage and will be continued. Key words: ceramics, composites, elastomer, compression strength, adhesion, acoustic emission