Epoxy composites based on glass beads. I. Viscoelastic properties

The viscoelastic behavior of glass beads composites are studied. Untreated, silane‐treated and elastomer‐coated glass beads were used, dispersed in a DGEBA–DDA–BDMA epoxy matrix. Using low frequency experiments, the three‐phase structure of coated glass bead composites is demonstrated. The characteristics of both the α and β relaxations of the epoxy networks are analyzed and discussed. The β relaxation is independent of volume fraction and glass treatment. On the contrary, the position of the α relaxation increases strongly with glass volume fraction and silane treatment. The introduction of the elastomer as a thin layer at the filler/matrix interface induces a large chain mobility, thus decreasing the temperature position of the α peak.