Dynamic properties in aluminum filled PMMA

The dynamic mechanical properties of polymethyl methacrylate reinforced wit h different amounts of aluminum filler were investigated. The internal fric tion and the shear storage modulus were measured with an automated damped t orsional pendulum in the temperature range between 200 and 375 Kin an argon atmosphere. An increase in the glass transition temperature occurred at hi gher filler contents. The amount of filler in the matrix seems to modify th e beta relaxation of the composite. The dynamic modulus increases with the aluminum percentages for low filler content. These results were explained i n terms of a model presented in the literature for the elastic modulus. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.