Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Double-phase morphology of high molecular weight poly(methyl methacrylate)-epoxy blend

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The double-phase morphology of 5 wt% high molecular weight poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) modified epoxy system was investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) techniques. PMMA-epoxy blend cured at 100 °C revealed that a bicontinuous secondary phase separation was observed in both epoxy and PMMA phases in the early stages of curing. Epoxy-rich particles were dispersed in the PMMA-rich phase, while PMMA-rich particles were segregated in the epoxy-rich phase, leading to double-phase bicontinuous morphology. The spinodal decomposition mechanism could probably be responsible for this secondary phase separation. From the SEM analysis, a morphology consisting of a rough striated continuous phase along with large smooth regions was observed. Rough striated domains are ascribed to the PMMA-rich phase and the smooth domains are assigned to the epoxy-rich phase, thus confirming the secondary phase separation. The PMMA-epoxy blend showed a slight increase in flexural properties and about 20% improvement in the fracture toughness.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. May CA (1988) Epoxy resins. Chemistry and technology. Marcel Dekker, New York

    Google Scholar 

  2. Hwang JW, Cho K, Park CE, Huh W (1999) J Appl Polym Sci 74:33

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bucknall CB, Gilbert AH (1989) Polymer 30:213

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hedrick JL, Yilgor I, Wilkes GL, McGrath JE (1985) Polym Bull 13:201

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Xie X-M, Yang H (2001) Mater Des 22:7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Bucknall CB, Patridge IK (1983) Polymer 24:639

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Raghava RS (1987) J Polym Sci B Polym Phys 25:1017

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Iijima T, Tochimoto T, Tomoi MJ (1991) J Appl Polym Sci 43:1685

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Gomez CM, Bucknall CB (1993) Polymer 34:2111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Woo EM, Wu MN (1996) Polymer 37:2485

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Hseih HK, Woo EM (1996) J Polym Sci B Polym Phys 34:2591

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Harismendy I, del Rio M, Corcuera MA, Gavalda J, Mondragon I (2000) J Appl Polym Sci 76:1037

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Huang P, Zheng S, Huang J, Guo Q, Zhu W (1997) Polymer 38:5565

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Martinez I, Martin MD, Eceiza A, Oyanguren P, Mondragon I (2000) Polymer 41:1027

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Mondragon I, Remiro PM, Martin MD, Valea A, Franco M, Bellenguer V (1998) Polym Inter 47:152

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Remiro PM, Riccardi CC, Corcuera MA, Mondragon I (1999) J Appl Polym Sci 74:772

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Remiro PM, Marieta C, Riccardi CC, Mondragon I (2001) Polymer 42:9909

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Testing Protocol for Polymers, European Structural Integrity Society (1992)

  19. Binder K (1980) Solid State Commun 34:191

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Barton BF, Graham PD, McHugh AJ (1998) Macromolecules 31:1672

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Marieta C, Remiro PM, Garmendia G, Harismendy I, Mondragon I (2003) Eur Polym J 39:1965

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Clarke N, McLeish TCB, Jenkins SD (1995) Macromolecules 28:4650

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Cho JB, Hwang JW, Cho K, An JH, Park CE (1993) Polymer 34:4832

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Su CC, Woo EM (1995) Polymer 36:2883

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Inoue T (1995) Prog Polym Sci 20:119

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Second Stage Brain Korea 21 Program of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development of Korea Government. Part of this research was supported by a grant 07KURC-A03 and 07RND B03 funded by Ministry of Construction & Transportation, also the grant R01-2007-000-20765-0 funded by Ministry of Science & Technology is appreciated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Architectural and Civil Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 446-701, Republic of Korea

    Jeong Tai Kim, Hee-Cheul Kim & John Kathi

  2. School of Mechanical and Industrial System Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 446-701, Republic of Korea

    Kyong-Yop Rhee

Authors
  1. Jeong Tai Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hee-Cheul Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. John Kathi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kyong-Yop Rhee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John Kathi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kim, J.T., Kim, HC., Kathi, J. et al. Double-phase morphology of high molecular weight poly(methyl methacrylate)-epoxy blend. J Mater Sci 43, 3124–3129 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-008-2514-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-008-2514-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation