Analysis of Aluminum Oxides Submicron Particle Agglomeration in Polymethyl Methacrylate Composites

Abstract

Agglomeration of distributed particles is the main problem in polymer composites reinforced with such particles. It leads to a decrease in mechanical performance and its poor reproducibility. Thus, development of methods to address the agglomeration of particles is relevant. Evaluation of the size and concentration of agglomerates is required to select a method to address agglomeration. The paper analyzes aluminum oxide particles agglomeration in particles-reinforced polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composites. Quantitative parameters of polystyrene-coated aluminum oxide particles agglomerates are obtained for the first time in this article. Unlike uncoated aluminum oxide particles, when coated aluminum oxide particles are used, agglomerates concentration in polymer composites decreases approx. 10 times. It demonstrates that modification of submicron particles by a polymer coating decreases the number of agglomerates in the polymer composite. The use of transmittance and opacity values to estimate particles agglomerates is reasonable in this article. It is shown that the difference in optical performance of specimens reinforced with coated and the original particles is related to the number and average size of agglomerates in the specimens. For example, when the concentration exceeds 0.2%, transmittance values for the specimens reinforced with coated particles are greater than the ones for the specimens reinforced with the original particles.

Detection and metrology of micro-nano particles through the integration of image and laser modes

“…Microscopic images were captured using an optical microscope, while actual data were acquired through electron microscopy. However, a significant challenge arose concerning particle aggregation at high concentrations, necessitating the addition of ethanol or surfactant to mitigate surface tension and inhibit agglomeration in the particle solution [16]. Therefore, during the experiment, the desired images were attained by systematically adjusting the ratio of dispersion solution to micro-nano particle solution.…”

“…Additionally, the PSD width is typically calculated across the entire range, with the empirical index of the distribution width being derived using equation (7) [16,27].…”

Epoxy filled with nylon powder—An approach to reduce void formation via fused particle method

“…These agglomerates can act as barriers to the flow of the polymer matrix, resulting in incomplete wetting or encapsulation of the particles, and can create voids or gaps between the particles and the polymer matrix. 19,20 Voids, the manufacturing defects nearly all that have been studied, exist many times in the processing of fiber-reinforced composites. In other words, the void is the most noteworthy defect of the unfilled region from fibers and polymer.…”

“…Particle agglomeration can normally cause the formation of voids or air pockets in polymer composites. These agglomerates can act as barriers to the flow of the polymer matrix, resulting in incomplete wetting or encapsulation of the particles, and can create voids or gaps between the particles and the polymer matrix 19,20 . Voids, the manufacturing defects nearly all that have been studied, exist many times in the processing of fiber‐reinforced composites.…”

Epoxy resin mechanical properties in composition with copper (I) oxide particles, encapsulated by polylactide with variable thickness

“…Обеспечить воспроизводимость механических характеристик полимерной композиции с дисперсными частицами возможно при условии адгезии частиц к матричному полимеру [1,2]. Это обусловлено снижением концентрации агломератов частиц наполнителя в полимерном композиционном материале (ПКМ) [4,5] и повышением однородности распределения дисперсных частиц [6]. Повышения адгезии, вплоть до образования химических связей между макромолекулами полимера и частицами, добиваются путем модификации дисперсных частиц [7,8].…”