Abstract
The role of particle size and polymer molecular weight in the formation and properties of a calcium aluminate cement-poly(vinyl alcohol) composite was investigated. Banbury mixing studies, in combination with poly(vinyl alcohol) solution rheology, showed paste formation to be dependent on the polymer degree of polymerization and concentration. Both polymer molecular weight and cement particle size have an effect on the mechanochemistry, the “window of processibility”, and mechanical properties of the hardened matrix. Increasing the polymer chain length appears to accelerate the mechanically induced crosslinking reactions between the polymer and cement hydration phases, thereby diminishing the processing window. Decreasing the cement mean particle size has a similar effect. Polymer degree of polymerization and cement particle size distribution are shown to be important factors in the mechanical properties of the hardened composite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs show that wide polydispersity in the grain phase is important in attaining a macro-defect-free microstructure.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
L. S. TAN, A. J. MCHUGH, M. A. GüLGüN and W. M. KRIVEN J. Mater. Res. 11 (1996) submitted.
A. J. MCHUGH and L. S. TAN, “Advanced Cementitious Systems: Mechanisms and Properties”, edited by F. P. Glasser, G. J. McCarthy, J. F. Young, T. O. Mason and P. L. Pratt, Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. froc. Vol. 245 (Pittsburgh, PA, 1992) p. 185.
Idem, Adv. Cement Based Mater. 1 (1993) 2.
M. A. GÜLGÜN, W. M. KRIVEN, L. S. TAN and A. J. MCHUGH, J. Mater. Res. 10 (1995) 1746.
J. D. BIRCHALL, A. J. HOWARD, K. KENDALL and J. H. RAISTRICK, US Patent 4410366 (1983).
R. B. BIRD, R. C. ARMSTRONG and O. HASSAGER, “Dynamics of Polymeric Liquids”, Vol. 1, 2nd Edn (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1987) p. 150.
L. S. TAN, MS thesis, University of Illinois (1992).
A. CASALE and R. S. PORTER, “Polymer Stress Reactions”, Vol. 1 (Academic Press, London, 1978) p. 104.
F. BUECHE, J. Appl. Polym. Sci 4 (1960) 101.
F.P. REDING, US Patent 2 935 502 (1960).
J. L. FRIED, “Polymer Science and Technology” (Prentice Hall, NJ, 1995) p. 392.
D. W. van KREVELEN, in “Properties of Polymers, their Estimation and Correlation with Chemical Structure” (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1976) p. 377.
N. TOKITA and I. PLISKIN, Rubber Chem. Technol. 46 (1973) 1166.
L. S. TAN, PhD thesis, University of Illinois, (1995) in preparation.
C. D. HAN, “Multiphase Flow in Polymer Processing” (Academic Press, New York, 1981) p. 106.
J. S. REED, in “Introduction to the Principles of Ceramic Processing” (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1988) p. 186.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tan, L.S., McHugh, A.J. The role of particle size and polymer molecular weight in the formation and properties of an organo-ceramic composite. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE 31, 3701–3706 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00352783
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00352783