Crack patterns in desiccating clay–polymer mixtures with varying composition

Abstract

Crack patterns in desiccating clay suspensions are drastically altered by the addition ofpolymers. In this paper we report a systematic study of the effect of varying thecomposition of a clay–polymer composite on the formation of crack patterns. Experimentsas well as computer simulations have been done. Details of the morphology and fractaldimension of the experimental patterns are observed and the simulation is done on atwo-dimensional spring network model. We find a transition from a completely fragmentedfractal pattern at high clay content to a continuous film at about 50% clay content. Theresults of the simulation are in good qualitative agreement with the experiments. The studyis expected to be of importance for clay–polymer composites. These can be designed togive improved mechanical and electrical properties for practical applications.