Polymer composites for optical imaging and X-rays in hydraulic simulation tanks

This research is related to new approaches for non-invasive imaging techniques that allows registering the internal architecture of sedimentary deposits generated in hydraulic simulation tanks to better understand the behavior of density currents. Polymeric composite with properties and characteristics similar to coal 205 was prepared with inorganic filler for non-destructive tests. It was used an orthophthalic polyester resin with different dye loads and barium sulfate as inorganic filler. Tests on x-ray Microtomography showed that the barium sulphate provides the necessary opacity for detection with such technique. Scanning electron microscopy allowed evaluating and classifying the shape of the matrix and measuring the nanometric dimensions of the filler. Specific mass and drop rate were also evaluated and it was found that the incorporation of dye and filler did not affected significantly the desired characteristics. For this reasons, the composite prepared show potential use in simulations and non-invasive imaging. (author)