Effects of the phases and the sizes of disperse particles on the elastic moduli of composites based on polymer mixtures

Different methods of calculating the elastic moduli of materials based on incompatible polymer mixtures are analyzed. These materials comprise fine dispersions of one of the polymers in a polymer matrix of another polymer. Different variants were analyzed: a dispersion of a solid polymer in an elastomer, where solid dispersion particles chemically react with the elastomer, or do not chemically interact with the elastomer matrix; a dispersion of a solid amorphous polymer of a particular chemical structure in a solid amorphous matrix of a polymer having a different chemical structure; and a dispersion of a partially crystalline polymer in a solid amorphous polymer. The dependence of the elastic moduli on the molar and volume fractions are defined by the van der Waals volumes of the components, the molecular masses of the repeating units, the densities of the components, the domain volumes, etc. These dependences are associated with the physical states and the phases (a rubber polymer, a crystalline polymer, or a solid amorphous polymer) of the mixed components.