The physical properties of glass and polymer materials PMC - Essay Example

For example, the thermal properties of polymers and composite structures can be altered through the use of a variety of fillers. The dimensions of the fillers fall on a macroscopic (1 µm-1mm) length scale (Brydson, 1999). These fillers augment the rigidity and heat deformation temperature of a polymer; because the filler makes a significant proportion of the total mass [10-40%]. Fillers and additives normally decrease the light transmission of a plastic. This report aims at discussing about the latest improvements in plastic and glass materials in the advancement of their properties, with regard to optical and thermal treatments.

The report will commence by highlighting the basics of the optical and thermal properties of glass materials and PMC. Further, development in the enhancement of the properties will be outlined and evaluated to reveal latest developments and eventual achievements. Optical Properties of Plastics and Glasses Most optical elements are fabricated from glass, crystalline materials, polymers or plastic materials (Lokensgard, 2010). The Index of fraction is the property of materials upon which the reflectance of the material is dependence.

This represents the measure of change in bearing of an incident ray of light as it passes through a surface boundary. With the choice of material having been the most fundamental properties are often the degree of transparency and the R.I. as well as each property’s spectral dependency. Glass technology has provided optical elements like lenses, prisms and filters (Miller and Kurtz, 2011). The transmission of light in plastics differs greatly in their ability to transmit light. Majority of plastic materials are opaque and the surface reflection of light off the plastic determines amount of gloss on the surface.

The crystalline nature of a polymer determines their optical properties. The use of photolithography in printing integrated circuits has orchestrated improvement in the transmission glasses for the ultraviolet (UV) region (Malik and Raina 2004). This is done to enhance the physical properties of the material and to acquire an effective product in the manufacturing process. Plastic optics brings about a variety of plastics suitable for inexpensive, unbreakable lens for mass production (Lokensgard, 2010).

Further, when difficult or unusual shapes, lightweight or economical mass-production techniques are required, plastics are preferred though, their precision optics is limited. Plastics demonstrate huge disparities in the refractive index (R.I.) with temperature change (Brydson, 1999). According to Miller and Kurtz (2011), the technology of concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) uses optical component(s) to focus optical flux onto a relatively small photovoltaic (PV) cell. The study by Miller and Kurtz reviews the durability of Frensel lenses used in the concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) application.

The utilisation of optical property can be evidenced by the composite having substantial optical transparency produced by reinforcing poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with unidirectional borosilicate glass fibres (Miller et al. 2010). The achievement of the optical transparency of the compound was realised by harmonizing the refractive index (nD) of the glass fibre and polymer matrix to within ±0.002 (Optical Glass, 2000). Further, Miller et al (2010) argues that, the durability of