Author(s)

J. Ryszkowska

Abstract

In this paper the results of a quantitative description of polyurethane nanocomposites with boehmite microstructure are reported. These nanocomposites have higher abrasive wear and thermal resistance. Quantitative image analysis of SEM images has been performed in order to describe the microstructure of the polyurethane and its nanocomposites. The dependence between the sizes of the spherulities obtained on brittle fractures of materials and their resistance properties were analysed. Keywords: nanocomposites, polyurethane, boehmite, lactic acid, image analysis. 1 Introduction Machine components made from polyurethane are mainly used in mining [1–4]. Often, they can also have high resistance for abrasive wear and thermal stability [2, 3]. Components like nano-clays or plate-shaped, for example kaolin, mica and aluminium hydroxides, have been added to the polymeric matrix to obtain required heat resistance, high modulus and some other physical and mechanical properties [5–8]. However, the macroscopic properties of such composites heavily depend on the dispersion of the added particles in the polymer matrix [7, 8]. In order to improve this dispersion, modified nanofillers are used and special processing routes are employed [8]. This paper presents the application of quantitative image analysis to the description of morphological properties of boehmite modified using lactic acid and its nanocomposites. Fracture surface images of nanocomposites were

Keywords

nanocomposites, polyurethane, boehmite, lactic acid, image analysis.