Preparation and Properties of Polymer Composites Filled with Low Melting Metal Alloys

Abstract

Composites of polymers and low melting point metal alloys are little known classes of materials. In this work thermoplastic composites filled with differing contents of Wood's metal or Cerromatrix alloys have been studied in respect to their microstructure, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. It was found that the type of filler employed had significant influence only on the mechanical and thermal properties of composites. The results of volume resistivity show that all composites conduct electrical current well, even when metal loading is below 10vol.%. Low percolation threshold is caused by a unique interpenetrating network structure created by polymer and metal co-continuous phases.