Mechanical Properties of Block Copolymer/Epoxy Nano-Blends

Modification of epoxies using block copolymer (BCP) rubber modifiers is the interest of this study. The morphology of BCPs was tailored to form nano-size secondary phases in the range of few ten nanometers in the epoxy. The fracture behavior of the blends was evaluated and combination of microscopy techniques were used to understand the toughening mechanisms activated in the nanorubber-modified epoxies. The results of fracture testing based on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) indicated the effectiveness of nanorubbers in the improvement of crack propagation resistance. Microscopy examinations revealed that plastic deformation of matrix facilitated by cavitation of rubbery phase was the dominant toughening mechanism in these state-of-the art nano-modified blends.