Formation of ethylene-vinyl acetate composites filled with Al–Cu–Fe and Al–Cu–Cr quasicrystallline particles

Abstract

Icosahedral Al65Cu23Fe12 and decagonal Al73Cu11Cr16 quasicrystalline powders were synthesized by the mechanical alloying and subsequent annealing. Morphology evolution at mechanical alloying of Al-based powders was found to be determined by competition between cold welding and fracture mechanisms. Mechanical alloying results in formation of coarse agglomerates consisting of fine particles. The chemical binding between the polymer matrix and quasicrystals, destruction of agglomerated at extrusion, and the uniform distribution of quasicrystals over the polymer melt were provided by surface treatment of quasicrystalline particles with silanes. The highly filled (up to 60 wt%) ethylene-vinyl acetate/quasicrystals composites were obtained, and their rheological characteristics were studied. It was shown that the fluidity of the melt is retained at a high level providing uniform distribution of quasicrystalline particles over the polymer. Keywords: Quasicrystals, Ethylene-vinyl acetate, Silanes, Mechanical alloying, Extrusion