Nanostructure in Hybrid Thermosets with Interpenetrating Networks and its Effect on Properties

Abstract

Hybrid resins composed of vinylester (VE) and aliphatic amine (Al-Am)-cured cycloaliphatic epoxy (Cal-EP) were produced and their morphology and properties (toughness, water uptake) determined. According to atomic force microscopy (AFM) results achieved on physically etched (ion eroded) specimens the hybrid resins possessed a nanoscaled interpenetrating network (IPN) structure, the characteristics of which depended on the VE/EP ratio. Characteristics of the IPN morphology, viz strand width and mean roughness data increase with increasing amount of the EP component. The fracture mechanical data (K(Q) and G(Q)) pass a maximum as a function of the VE/EP ratio, similar to that of the phase segregation term (alpha). The latter was deduced from dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) traces. The water sorption and diffusion behavior of the interpenetrated VE/EP hybrids were controlled by the relative amount of the EP (Cal-EP+Al-Am) used.

Mechanical performance of hybrid thermoset composites: Effects of matrix and reinforcement hybridization

“…Based on previous investigations [7,8,19,23], 1:1 weight ratio mixed hybrid resins and two different procedures of mixing were used. One of them, called the simultaneous or one-pot method (henceforth referred to as method 'A'), was described in detail in former publications [19,23].…”

“…The properties and possibilities of IPNs compared to neat resins have been investigated since the second half of the previous century [3][4][5]. The characterization of the formation of the network and thermo-mechanical proof of the phase structure have been published [5][6][7][8]. Numerous favourable attributes, for example enhanced damping properties [9][10][11][12], have been discovered and extensively analysed.…”

Polyurethane latex/water dispersible boehmite alumina nanocomposites: Thermal, mechanical and dielectrical properties

“…Adopting the simplified Fickian second law for the initial phase of water uptake, the diffusion coefficient (D) can be determined plotting the W t /W eq vs. t 1/2 /l based on Eq. (2) [46,47].…”

Fabrication of hybrid matrix/silane modified carbon fabric composites and study of their mechanical properties

“…In CFRP usually, the matrix is responsible for the overall toughness; therefore, hybrid resins used as a matrix material could be a reasonable solution for this problem to enhance the toughness of reference matrix and also could improve the interaction between the matrix and reinforcement, which results in the improvement of mechanical properties of CFRPs . The use of hybrid matrix VE/EP reinforced with ceramic fiber mat was studied by Gryshchuk and Karger‐Kocsis . Their study mainly explained the effect of different chemical treatments on the surface of the ceramic fiber mat.…”