%0 Journal Article
%T Refractive index matching for high light transmission composite systems
%A Artee Panwar
%A Erin Keaney
%A Joey Mead
%A John Shearer
%J Journal of Composite Materials
%@ 1530-793X
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/0021998318764787
%X Transparent optical polymer/filler systems can be produced into complex shapes for a range of applications, such as lenses, shields, and containers. This work used refractive index liquids as a model for polymer matrices to investigate the degree of refractive index match required to maintain high transmission in an inorganic-filled polymer system (cubic calcium fluoride with particle size of 1 to 5£¿¦Ìm) over the visible spectrum. It was determined that in order to achieve a transparent composite (>85% transmission with 10£¿mm pathlength) with this filler (using literature reported dispersion data), the materials must have a refractive index match within ¡À0.007 for 1.6£¿vol.% loading. With a loading of 3.1£¿vol.%, the matching range required was reduced to approximately ¡À0.002
%K Light transmission
%K optical clarity
%K refractive index
%K refractive index matching
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0021998318764787