Effect of elastomer structure on ceramic–elastomer composite properties

Ceramic–elastomer composites have been obtained via infiltration of porous SiO2 by segmented urea–urethane elastomer with different hard segment content. Such composites have potential for being new class of construction and functional materials. As a result of the ceramics infiltration composites of two interpenetrating phases are obtained with ceramic phase accounting for 60% of volume. The obtained microstructure with percolation of ceramic and polymeric phases renders the composites high compression strength together with the ability to absorb the energy. Such composites retain theirs cohesion with the ability to return to initial shape after unloading. Also, the structure and properties of urea–urethane elastomers used for infiltration were investigated. The porous ceramics is light but distinguished by low fracture toughness. Due to joining it with elastomer the composites with increased toughness are obtained. Urea–urethane elastomers with different hard and soft segments content were used for infiltration the porous SiO2. The elastomer structure and properties change with the hard and soft segments content. Also the ceramic–elastomer composite properties are strongly depended on the elastomer structure and properties. SEM investigations showed that the pores are fully filled by elastomer, independent on the elastomer soft and hard segment content. The stereological methods have been used to measure the volume fraction of elastomeric and ceramics phases. The effect of the elastomer structure, with different soft and hard segments content, on the composite compression strength was revealed.