Coupled spreading-fraction effects of polymer nano-binder on the network connectivity and tensile modulus of porous mineral coatings

Parvez Alam, Martti Toivakka

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    6 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    A numerical model was developed that combines complex porous coating microstructures with continuum mechanics simulations. Platy (hexagonal plates) and blocky (frusta) particles were packed computationally. Polymer nano-bridges were then placed between the packed particles to establish network continuity. Slices from the 3-dimensional packings were extracted and a finite element method implemented to determine the mechanical properties. As a function of shape, high aspect ratio plates might be expected to resist load more effectively than 1:1 aspect ratio frusta. However, when the polymer fractions are high and there is low binder spread across the particle surfaces, the frustum packings exhibit higher tensile modulus values than the platy packings. These packed frusta have more stable solid state networks than higher aspect ratio platy packings and consequently resist load more effectively.
    Original languageUndefined/Unknown
    Pages (from-to)73–75
    Number of pages3
    JournalMaterials Letters
    Volume88
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012
    MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

    Keywords

    • Algorithm
    • Composites
    • Mechanics
    • Modelling
    • Particle
    • Porosity

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