Transmittance and mechanical properties of PMMA‐fumed silica composites

Abstract

AbstractThe transmittance, flexure strength, Young's modulus, and Vickers hardness of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), filled with fumed silica, was measured. Transmittance decreased with increasing content of filler. At 2 vol % filler content, composites had a higher transmittance with a lower surface area of fumed silica (larger primary particle size) because the lower surface area filler was better dispersed. At 4 vol % filler content, composites had a higher transmittance with a higher surface area fumed silica (smaller primary particle size). Flexure strength and Young's modulus of the composites was measured using three point bending. Addition of fumed silica led to a decrease of strength. Also, addition of fumed silica led to an increase of Young's modulus and Vickers hardness. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.