Transparent silica gel–PMMA composites

Transparent silica gel–polymer composites have been prepared by the impregnation of porous gels with organic monomer and polymerization in situ. The relative amount of each phase was adjusted by varying the porosity of the silica gel prior to impregnation. These materials constitute a new class of transparent composites. Properties, such as density, refractive index, modulus of rupture, compressive strength, abrasion rate, and Vickers hardness, have been measured over the compositional range of 100% silica to 100% polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).