Ceramic-elastomer composites are obtained via infiltration of porous ceramics by elastomer prior to the curing reaction. The elastomer is synthesized by one-shot method from the diisocyanate, oligodiol and chain extender. The liquid mixture of the substrates is incorporated into ceramics pores using the vacuum pressure in the temperature of 120oC. Next the addition reaction is conducted in this temperature for 14 - 16 h. Since the thermal expansions of the elastomer and ceramics are different upon cooling to ambient temperature, this results in the buildup of residual stresses in the various range of the composite. Moreover, the elastomer shrinks as a consequence of the transformation from the mixture of the substrates in the liquid state to the solid state polymer with the covalently bonded network structure.
Residual stresses are of a significant concern because they can cause a damage in the form of ceramics cracks and delaminations between ceramics and elastomer. They can also effect on the composite mechanical properties.
The aim of the study was the creation of the model describing the residual stresses results in the composites with two different interpenetrating phases in 3D. To calculate the residual stresses the Finite Element Method (FEM) was used.