Polymer Bulletin, Vol.38, No.4, 477-483, 1997
Synthesis of Solvent-Modified Epoxies via Chemically-Induced Phase-Separation - A New Approach Towards Void Toughening of Epoxies
The fracture toughness has been investigated with single edge notched bending specimens in solvent-modified epoxies, which were prepared via the Chemically Induced Phase Separation technique. The generation of a controlled morphology with liquid droplets in the micrometer range leads to a substantial increase in the fracture energy of nearly 400% compared to the non-modified epoxy network. The critical stress intensity factor of these highly crosslinked thermosets does not vary significantly. These results demonstrate the general potential of the Chemically Induced Phase Separation technique to prepare porous thermosets, thus combining increased toughness with lowered density.
Keywords:RUBBER-MODIFIED EPOXIES;POLYMERS;MORPHOLOGY;CAVITATION;BEHAVIOR;THERMOPLASTICS;MECHANISMS;MICROVOIDS;PARTICLES;NETWORKS