Relationship between structure and mechanical properties in rubber‐toughened epoxy resins

Toughened polymers were prepared by adding CTBN rubbers to DGEBA‐type epoxy resins. Structure was varied by altering the type and concentration of hardener, the initial molecular weight of the resin, the amount of Bisphenol A added, and the conditions of cure. Electron microscopy showed that these factors affected both particle size and degree of phase separation: rapid curing inhibited phase separation, and produced small particles. Increasing the molecular weight of the resin, either directly or by reaction with Bisphenol A, improved phase separation. Dynamic mechanical measurements of rubber phase volume proved possible, although Tg of the CTBN rubber coincided with a β process in the epoxy resin. Fracture resistance, measured by GIC, increased linearly with rubber phase volume. Creep and yield behaviour were also affected by the degree of phase separation.