Preparation and properties of close-packed composite materials

Monodisperse silica particles of about 0.3m diameter are suspended in methacrylate monomer using a carefully selected dispersant. Many steric dispersants are hydrocarbon chains with a reactive end-group. These are not effective as dispersants for silica in moderately polar solvents, such as esters and the methacrylate monomers. Good dispersion was obtained with a methacrylate polymer terminated by a chlorosilane end group. Settling or centrifugation of these unagglomerated dispersions gives well-packed particle beds. Polymerization of the surrounding monomer produces composite materials with high packing fractions and a high degree of regularity. Moduli and strengths of these composites are reported.