Quantitative description of ceramic–elastomer composites with percolation microstructures

In this paper, the results of a quantitative description of a ceramic–elastomer composite structure are reported. These composites were obtained from porous ceramics infiltrated by urea-urethane elastomers. As a result, composites consisting of two interpenetrating phases have been obtained, which exhibit high compressive strengths together with an ability to achieve a large deformation. Quantitative analyses of SEM images have been performed to describe the microstructure of the ceramic–elastomer composites and to calculate the volume fraction of elastomeric phase and as a consequence the open porosity of the ceramic. The results of the image analysis have been compared with the measurements of mercury intrusion porosimetry and the Archimedes method.