Shaped articles made with new composite material

http://www.inm-gmbh.de

Contact:
Dr. P. Müller,
Polymer Matrix-Nanocomposites
Tel.: ++49 681 9300-397
Fax: ++49 681 9300-233

• Development of new materials for refractive optics based on Nanomers
• Simple process technology, using well known shaping processes for production of transparent shaped articles
• Utilisation of the solid state properties of the nanoparticles for tailoring the optical and mechanical properties of the bulk

Methods

• Incorporation of nanoscaled inorganic particles in a organic-inorganic matrix
• To avoid transmission losses due to scattering, particles with a diameter < l/20, were employed
• The surface of the particles has been modified with respect to the matrix properties, avoiding agglomeration
• Curing of the Nanomer by conventional polymerisation processes

• Simple shaping processes such as casting and curing may be used with high reproduction accuracy
• Transparent and colourless Nanomers are obtainable
• The index of refraction of the composite may be increased by 0.05, using nanoscaled particles with high refractive index (e.g. TiO₂ or Ta₂O₅)
• The scratch resistance and the thermal stability of the Nanomers may be increased significantly by introducing nanoscaled particles
• Post-treatment by conventional methods (milling, drilling and polishing) is possible

Applications

• Focusing and collimating optical components (e. g. aspherical elements and spherical cylindrical lenses)
• Transparent, scratch resistant components