Development of novel polymer/quasicrystal composite materials

We report on a new class of materials, polymer/quasicrystal composites with useful properties for beneficial exploitation in applications, such as dry bearings and composite gears. Our preliminary results indicate that our ne w composites are a means of enhancing the properties of certain organic pol ymers while providing a new means of processing quasicrystals. Al-Cu-Fe qua sicrystalline materials significantly improved wear resistance to volume lo ss in polymer-based composites. Furthermore, mechanical testing results sho wed a two-fold increase in the storage modulus of the reinforced composites compared with the polymer samples. The fabrication in addition to the ther mal, mechanical, and wear properties of these unique materials will be desc ribed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.