Particle Effects on the Structure of Polymers

There is now considerable evidence that particulate fillers, especially inorganics, can significantly affect the structure of the matrix polymer itself, and hence the properties of the final composite. Such effects can vary enormously from system to system and have largely been overlooked in many studies of filled composites. The existence of these effects may explain many of the anomalies reported in trying to develop and apply generalised predictive equations [65]. 

Matrix modifications can occur in a number of ways and the effect on properties can sometimes be at least as important as that arising from the much more widely recognised interfacial bonding effects. Unfortunately, no systematic study of this area has yet been made. 

The principal ways in which a particulate phase may affect polymer structure are  

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