Abstract
A series of networks of diverse crosslink density were prepared using bifunctional epoxide prepolymers of different molecular weight, crosslinked with diamine diphenyl sulphone, and their fracture behaviour investigated. The same set of resins was also modified with a reactive rubber. The fracture toughness regularly decreased on increasing the crosslink density for all formulations. The addition of the rubber gave rise to a marked increase in toughness, though it magnified the influence of the molecular weight of the prepolymer. Tests performed with blunt notches showed that the fracture toughness was maximum at medium crosslink densities. A dispersion of rubber particles caused a toughness increase through the formation of microcavities ahead of the crack tip. Failure was preceded by a rapid volume increase caused by void coalescence.
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Levita, G., De Petris, S., Marchetti, A. et al. Crosslink density and fracture toughness of epoxy resins. J Mater Sci 26, 2348–2352 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01130180
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01130180