LAUSR

Abstract In this study, we present the first report on facile preparation of glassy metals in reinforced polymer composites. Indium-Polyethylene (In-HDPE) and Indium-Polystyrene (In-PS) composites were prepared via single step extrusion above the melting temperatures of both metal and polymer. Thermal analysis show the reliability of direct co-melting in creating amorphous-metal-polymer composites with glassy-metal content as high as 85%. Additionally, it was concluded that mechanical properties of HDPE matrix show improvements when reinforced with Indium where tensile modulus was improved from 752 ± 55 MPa to a maximum of 1052 ± 31 MPa at 10 wt % loading. Tensile properties for In-PS composites remained unchanged. The composites are suitable in shielding applications.