Matrix continuous phase

The CPs/ICPs-based materials can be exploited either as matrix (continuous phase) or as filler (dispersed phase) to form advanced CMPs/NCs. It is important to note that most CPs (especially doped ones, i.e., ICPs) possess rigid aromatic (or fused ring) backbone and assume stiff rod-like chain configuration. Consequently, they deviate from the category of soft materials and the formed mixture (with other soft phase) is often termed as CMP (rather than BLN) especially in case of thermosetting polymer-based matrix, which is stiff material itself. Nevertheless, as already highlighted in earlier sections, there is no clear demarcation between BLNs or CMPs by scientific community working on CP consequently, in the literature, both terms BLNs and CMPs are erroneously used by researchers in synonymous fashion to refer to above systems. 

The requirement that for droplet deformation the tension of the deforming matrix (continuous phase) must overcome the interfacial tension, can be expressed as a ratio termed the Weber number (We) where ... 

Another approach to improve the separation characteristics of a membrane is the implementation of additives. MMMs consist of an inorganic or inorganic-organic hybrid material in the form of micro- or nanoparticles (discrete or dispersed phase) incorporated into a polymer matrix (continuous phase) (Figure 3). ... 

The thermal transitions and the relaxation processes observed in multiblock terpolymers allow to evaluate their phase morphology. At room temperature, these polymers are composed of three phases hard, soft, and strongly expanded interphase. The two latter phases are amorphous and form a matrix (continuous phase), whereas the hard (crystalline) phase is the dispersed phase. The thermal transition and relaxation processes occurring in the interphase of the multiblock copolymers are not detected by the DSC and DMTA methods. The incorporation of the third short block into the copolymer chain causes an increase in the volume of the interphase. This facilitates the establishment of the processes occurring in this phase at various temperatures. Moreover, it enables the evaluation of the influence of the dimension and composition of this phase on the polymer properties. (About the number of phases in poly(ether ester) thermoplastic elastomers, see also Chapter 6.)... 

The Debye circuit represents a transition from a conduction mechanism through the first capacitive C,g,g at high frequency to the second independent higher-value capacitive component C in a series with finite resistor R. At very high frequencies C,g,g, usually bulk capacitance Cg of ion-free "matrix" continuous-phase material such as nearly completely insulating oil, dominates the total impedance response. The finite resistor R prevents current from flowing through the secondary resistive-capacitive branch. This branch very often rep-... 

The best dispersion takes place when the viscosities of the droplet (dispersed phase) and the matrix (continuous phase) are matched. In practice, droplet breakup can occur over a wide range of viscosity ratios from approximately 0.001 to 3.0, with the best dispersion from around 0.1 to 1.0. 

Symmetry considerations forbid any nonzero off-diagonal matrix elements in Eq. (68) when f(x) is even in x, but they can be nonzero if f x) is odd, for example,/(x) = x. (Note that x itself hansforms as B2 [284].) Figure 3 shows the outcome for the phase by the continuous phase tracing method for cycling... 

A composite material (1) is a material consisting of two or more physically and/or chemically distinct, suitably arranged or distributed phases, generally having characteristics different from those of any components in isolation. Usually one component acts as a matrix in which the reinforcing phase is distributed. When the continuous phase or matrix is a metal, the composite is a metal-matrix composite (MMC). The reinforcement can be in the form of particles, whiskers, short fibers, or continuous fibers (see Composite materials). 

Where the polyurethane comprises <30% of the blend, the polyurethane remains in discrete droplets within the polyacetal matrix. In this range the particle size and particle size distribution of the elastomer particles are of importance. Where the elastomer component is in excess of 30%, interpenetrating polymer networks exist in the sense that there are two interpenetrating continuous phases (as opposed to two cross-linked interpenetrating polymer systems). 

In either case the resulting material Is a composite, with the polymer as the continuous phase or matrix, binding together the pieces of the discontinuous filler phase. The presence of filler can have a profound effect on the properties of the polymer composite, as Illustrated In Table 7.1. From this Table, It can be seen that the nature of the filler Is Important, with different effects being obtained with different fillers. 

Even in cases where the rigid polymer forms the continuous phase, the elastic modulus is less than that of the pure matrix material. Thus two-phase systems have a greater creep compliance than does the pure rigid phase. Many of these materials craze badly near their yield points. When crazing occurs, the creep rate becomes much greater, and stress relaxes rapidly if the deformation is held constant. 

Note In a polymer blend, the continuous phase domain is sometimes referred to as the host polymer, bulk substance, or matrix. 

As noted earlier, for the most part, the resulting materials from the use of reinforcements are composites, which are materials that contain strong fibers embedded in a continuous phase. The fibers are called reinforcement and the continuous phase is called the matrix. While the continuous phase can be a metallic alloy or inorganic material, it is typically an organic polymer that is termed a resin. Composites can be fabricated into almost any shape and after hardening, they can be machined, painted, etc., as desired. 

Similar to other raw materials, e.g., metals, it is principally possible to vary the properties of macromolecular substances by mixing two or more different polymers. Though, one has to pay attention to the fact that in most cases phase-separated, i.e., heterogeneous products are obtained by mixing macromolecules. These polymer blends consist of a continuous phase (matrix) in which a discontinuous (dispersed) phase in the form of more or less regularly shaped particles is included. This phenomenon can be explained thermodynamically ... 

Oil absorption is a very simple technique which when carefully applied can give a useful guide to the packing ability of fillers [83]. This determines the amount of a selected oil that is needed to just form a continuous phase between the filler particles when they are subjected to a certain mixing procedure. This is a good guide to the maximum packing fraction of filler that is likely to be achievable in a polymer matrix, especially if the oil used is chosen to have a similar polarity to that of the polymer to be used. 

Many properties of composites filled with nonreinforcing fillers, such as coefficient of expansion, heat deflection, and specific heat, may be estimated from the rule of mixtures. Thus the coefficient of expansion of the composite, ae, is related to the sum of the coefficients of expansion of the continuous phase or resin matrix m and the discontinuous phase or filler/times their fractional volumes V and (1 — V)% respectively, as follows ... 

In rubber-plastic blends, clay reportedly disrupted the ordered crystallization of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and had a key role in shaping the distribution of iPP and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) phases larger filler contents brought about smaller, less coalesced and more homogeneous rubber domains [22]. Clays, by virtue of their selective residence in the continuous phase and not in the rubber domains, exhibited a significant effect on mechanical properties by controlling the size of rubber domains in the heterophasic matrix. This resulted in nanocomposites with increased stiffness, impact strength, and thermal stability. 

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