Development of novel polymer/quasicrystal composite materials

P.D. Bloom, K.G. Baikerikar, J.U. Otaigbe, and V.V. Sheares

Department of Chemistry

Iowa State University, Ames, IA USA

Abstract

We report on a new class of materials, polymer/quasicrystal composites with useful properties for beneficial exploitation in applications, such as dry bearings and composite gears. Our preliminary results indicate that our new composites are a means of enhancing the properties of certain org. polymers while providing a new means of processing quasicrystals. Al-Cu-Fe quasicryst. materials significantly improved wear resistance to vol. loss in polymer-based composites. Furthermore, mech. testing results showed a two-fold increase in the storage modulus of the reinforced composites compared with the polymer samples. The fabrication in addn. to the thermal, mech., and wear properties of these unique materials will be described.