Polymer matrix composites, filled Mechanical performance

The thermal characteristics of NR-metal composites are close to the properties of metals, whereas the mechanical properties and the processing methods are typical of polymers.Thermally conducting, but electrically insulating, polymer-matrix composites are increasingly important for electronic packaging because the heat dissipation ability limits the reliability, performance and miniaturization of electronics.Thermal properties such as thermal conductivity, thermal dilfusivity and specific heat of metal (copper, zinc, Fe and bronze) powder-filled polymer composites are investigated experimentally in the range of filler content 0-24% by volume. ... 

In the rubber industry the distribution of particle size is considered to be important as it affects the mechanical properties and performance. Aggregate size also varies with particle size. Aggregates can have any shape or morphology. The fundamental property of the filler used in a filled elastomer is the particle size. This affects the reinforcement of elastomer most strongly. One of the sources of reinforcement between the carbon black surface and the rubber matrix is the van der Waals force attraction. Also, rubber chains are grafted onto the carbon black surface by covalent bonds. The interaction is caused by a reaction between the functional group at the carbon black particle surface and free radicals on polymer chains. Hence, filler-rubber interface is made up of complex physical-chemical interaction. The adhesion at the rubber-filler interface also affects the reinforcement of rubber. When the polymer composites are filled with spherical filler (aspect ratio of the particle is equal to unity), the modulus of the composite depends on the modulus, density, size, shape, volume ratio, and number of the incorporated particles. 

---