Synergistic local toughening of high performance epoxy-matrix composites using blended block copolymer-thermoplastic thin films
(2016) Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing — Vol. 91, p. 398-405 (2016)
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- Authors
Bailly, Christian 
- Abstract
- A new block copolymer-thermoplastic dual toughening concept for high performance RTM6 epoxy matrix composites is elaborated through a comprehensive microstructural study of well-defined model systems. A blend of phenoxy and MAM (copolymer of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(butyl acrylate)) increases the toughness of the corresponding carbon fiber reinforced composite by 125%, a fivefold synergistic improvement over the situation where the tougheners are used alone at the same total concentration. Selective intercalation of blended toughener thin films in the preform gives rise to a diffusion-induced composition gradient during the RTM process, which generates a morphology gradient upon curing. The observed microstructures results from MAM self-assembly in the miscible mixture of phenoxy and the epoxy resin precursor, followed by reaction induced phase separation, forming wormlike micelles, interconnected micelles and co-continuous morphologies. The resulting microstructures activate different toughening mechanisms responsible for the observed synergy
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Citations
Bahrami, A., Cordenier, F., Van Velthem, P., Ballout, W., Pardoen, T., Nysten, B., & Bailly, C. (2016). Synergistic local toughening of high performance epoxy-matrix composites using blended block copolymer-thermoplastic thin films. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 91, 398-405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2016.08.038 (Original work published 2016)