Research on toughening of in situ polymerized polyacrylate resin for liquid composite molding

Abstract

Thermoplastic polyacrylate resin, which can be polymerized in situ, has a broad application prospect. Addressing the issue of poor toughness of polyacrylate resin, a toughening method involving in situ polymerization of polyacrylate resin for liquid composite molding was presented in this paper. KH570‐modified silica nanoparticles were used as reinforcement. The study focused on the surface modification's impact on the dispersion stability of the nanoparticle suspension, the effect of nanoparticles on the reaction, and the mechanical properties of the resin. The results showed that the contact angle between modified‐silica and acrylate resin decreased from 79.3° to 9.96°, and the stability of the suspension was increased by 34.8%. With the increase of silica nanoparticles, the reaction speed of the resin initially decreased and then increased. This was due to the influence of KH570 on the surface of the nanoparticles and the changes in resin viscosity caused by the nanoparticles. The mechanical properties of polymerization products first increased and then decreased. When nanoparticles mass ratio of nanoparticle to resin was 5:100, the elongation at break was increased by 94.9%, the impact strength was increased by 287%. This paper provided some ideas for high‐performance industrial application of high‐performance in situ polymerization of polyacrylate resin.Highlights The thermoplastic polyacrylate resin that can be formed by liquid composite molding. A method for improving the toughness of resin used in liquid composite molding. Nanosilica modified with KH570 interferes with the reaction of acrylate resin. The nanosilica changes the crack propagation path.