Investigation into the influence of micro sphere properties and composition on syntactic characteristics under hydrostatic pressure (modeling and experiment)

Abstract

Object and purpose of research. The object of research is a polymer composite material of syntactic type, which is a heterogeneous medium consisting of a polymer matrix filled with spherical inclusions – micro spheres. The purpose of work is to increase the strength/weight ratio of syntactic under hydrostatic pressure based on the analysis of processes at the material micro structure level, which let us identify the influence of initial components (micro spheres) and polymer matrix on the material density and ultimate state. Subject matter and methods. The Initial data are syntactic composition and structure as well as characteristics of its components. Numerical studies were performed using the earlier developed structural model of syntactic deformation and failure implemented into С++ software. Main results. The elastic and strength characteristics of the matrix and mico sphere glass are shown to have influence on the syntactic density and strength. Based on the size distribution of micro spheres and its influence on these characteristics, recommendations are formulated regarding development of the bi-dispersed mixture of MS-BP micro spheres. Application of such mixture made it possible to develop a new syntactic foam with required density and strength characteristics. Conclusion. The newly developed numerical method for prediction of syntactic characteristics takes into consideration the size distribution in micro sphere structures and allows optimized development of novel materials. The characteristics of new material obtained on the basis of developed guidelines have been verified by experiments.