Modification of Epoxy by a Liquid Elastomer and Solid Rubber Particles

Summary

This work covers studies on epoxy resin systems modified with two different rubber phases. The first modification was the use of recycled car tire rubber particles; while in the second one a silicon based liquid elastomer (Tegomer) was mixed with the epoxy resin matrix. In the third method epoxy resin was modified with both solid rubber particles and liquid elastomer together.

Mechanical tests showed that these modifications resulted in no significant improvements in the mechanical performance of the epoxy resin system. Fractographic studies indicated that poor interfacial adhesion was occurred between the epoxy matrix and the solid rubber particles, while liquid elastomer resulted in formation of round rubbery domains and some plastic deformation lines in the epoxy matrix. For better improvements interfacial phenomenon will be explored.