Structure of urethane elastomer obtained as a result of polyaddition reaction inside porous ceramics

Aim of project
The aim of the project is to evaluate the structure of elastomer synthesized as a result of polyaddition reaction into ceramic pores. Also, a selection of synthesis parameters will be made in order to obtain an optimal mixture of polymer reactive substrates for the infi ltration process. The eff ect of the reactive substrates mixture composition and process parameters on the degree of infi ltration will be evaluated. In addition, an alternative method by which coupling agents will be added to the mixture of the elastomer reactive substrates before infi ltration will be elaborated.

The project is focused on the urethane and urea-urethane segmented elastomers obtained as a result of polyaddition reaction conducted inside SiO2 and/or Al2O3 ceramic pores. An infi ltration process was carried out under vacuum. The infi ltration method is described by the project authors in PL patent. The obtained microstructure with percolation of ceramic and polymeric phases renders the composites high compression strength together with the ability to absorb impact energy. Such composites retain their cohesion with the ability to return to initial shape after unloading.

The infiltration process is infl uenced by temperature, pressure, viscosity of the reactive mixture of substrates and pore size. The viscosity, which depends on the molar ratio of polymer substrates, signifi cantly infl uenced the degree of pores fi lled with the elastomer. Also, the degree of pores fi lled can be modifi ed by addition of coupling agents, which strengthen adhesion between ceramic and polymer increasing the mechanical properties of composites.

Expected results
Knowledge about elastomer structure inside ceramic pores will allow to evaluate parameter infl uence on mechanical strength of obtained composites. The infi ltration process allows fabrication of novel hybrid materials with special properties as a combination of ceramic and elastomer features.