Polymer composites from disposed car elements

Biodegradable single-polymer composites from polyvinyl alcohol

The microstructure and thermomechanical behaviour of a novel fully biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH)-based single-polymer composite (SPC) is presented. Three kinds of PVOH stapled fibres, having different melting temperatures and tensile mechanical properties, were considered as a reinforcement, whilst plasticized PVOH granules were selected as a continuous matrix. Calorimetric tests on th...

Neutron-optical gratings from nanoparticle-polymer composites

The preparation of neutron-optical phase gratings with light-optical holography is reviewed. We compare the relevant concepts of: (i) Kogelnik’s theory for Bragg diffraction of light by thick volume gratings, which can be used to analyze holographic gratings with both light and neutrons, and (ii) the dynamical theory of neutron diffraction. Without going into mathematical detail, we intend to i...

Polymer Microvascular Network Composites

Microvascular networks show promise for applications such as selfhealing, self-cooling, and structural damage sensing. Fluid-filled micro-scale channels have been investigated extensively in the field of microfluidics, but threedimensional networks in polymeric structural materials have been achieved only recently. The purpose of microvascular network integration is to provide a vehicle for the...

Ionomeric Polymer-Metal Composites

Shape-Memory Polymer Composites

The development of shape-memory polymer composites (SMPCs) enables high recovery stress levels as well as novel functions such as electrical conductivity, magnetism, and biofunctionality. In this review chapter the substantial enhancement in mechanical properties of shape-memory polymers (SMPs) by incorporating small amounts of stiff fillers will be highlighted exemplarily for clay and polyhedr...