Melt processing of a metal-polymer composite

Abstract

As revealed by the literature, finding fabrication alternatives in producing economically attractive metal-polymeric composites still remains an industrial challenge. To address such industrial limitations, this thesis study has focused on reinforcing HDPE matrix with indium metal by direct co-melting for which unique results were demonstrated. The obtained DSC results accordingly have unveiled 84% of added indium is in an amorphous (glassy) state. This distinctive result implies that the fabricated composite structure by coextrusion created amorphous metallic dispersions within the polymeric domains in a simplified and faster technique than typically processed in the industry. Microscopy images moreover have qualitatively presented that incorporating indium metal in HDPE by coextrusion leads to forming high-aspect ratio metallic agglomerates within the polymeric entanglements with surprisingly insulative properties. Additionally, it was statistically concluded that the studied system has increased the polymeric rigidity by 40% proven by the marked improvement in elastic modulus where a maximum of 1052 ±31MPa at 10wt.% loading was achieved. The novelty of this study accordingly is to proving both the exceptionality of such formed composites and reliability of direct co-melting as a promising fabrication alternative in meeting the industrial needs.

Date of Award	2016
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Saeed Al Hassan (Supervisor)