Studies of the properties of a thermosetting epoxy modified with block copolymers

Poly[(n-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate)-co-(glycidyl methacrylate)] (BMG) diblock copolymers incorporating an epoxy-reactive functionality in one block have been synthesized and used as modifiers for the model epoxy resin E-51 cured with 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM). The properties and morphologies of the modified epoxy thermosets were investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), impact testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results reveal that addition of the block copolymers leaves the glass transition temperatures of the blends relatively unchanged, with small decreases in the storage moduli at room temperature. The toughening effect is dependent on the chemical structures of the block copolymers and an increase in the impact strength by a factor of two was obtained by the addition of 'relatively symmetrical' block copolymers. Moreover, the impact test results are consistent with the morphologies of the fracture surfaces as evidenced by SEM. (c) 2005 Society of Chemical Industry.