Structure and Properties of Hybrid Polyurethane Composites with Carboxyalumoxanes

Abstract

Carboxyalumoxanes have been incorporated into a polyurethane matrix by in situ polymerization. The filler was dispersed in the polyurethane matrix by either both ultrasonic and mechanical mixing or by mechanical mixing alone. The physico-mechanical properties of the composites have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Using ultrasound improves the degree of dispersion of the fillers in the matrix, but it also causes changes in the structure of the polyurethane matrix.