SYNOPSISAromatic polyesters, prepared by the reaction of phthalic or isophthalic acids and a,walkanediols, were used to reduce the brittleness of bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether epoxy resin cured with methyl hexahydrophthalic anhydride. These polyesters were effective as modifiers for toughening of the epoxy resin system. The most suitable composition for modification of the epoxy resins was inclusion of 20 wt % of poly (ethylene phthalate) (MW 7200), which resulted in a 150% increase in the fracture toughness (I&) of the cured resin at no expense of its mechanical properties. The effectiveness of poly (alkylene phthalate) s as modifiers decreased with increasing the chain length of alkylene units. The toughening mechanism was discussed based on the morphological and dynamic mechanical behaviors of the modified epoxy resin system.
Aromatic polyesters were prepared and used to improve the brittleness of the cyanate ester resin. The aromatic polyesters include poly(ethylene phthalate) (PEP) and poly(ethylene phthalate-co-1,4-phenylene phthalate). The polyesters were effective modifiers for improving the brittleness of the cyanate ester resin. For example, inclusion of 20 wt % PEP (MW 19,800) led to a 120% increase in the fracture toughness (K IC ) with retention in flexural properties and a slight loss of the glass transition temperature compared to the mechanical and thermal properties of the unmodified cured cyanate ester resin. The microstructures of the modified resins were examined by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic viscoelastic analysis. The thermal stability of the modified resins was lower than that of the unmodified resin as determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The water absorptivity of the modified resin increased significantly, compared to that of the unmodified cured cyanate ester resin. The toughening mechanism was discussed in terms of the morphological and dynamic viscoelastic behaviors of the modified cyanate ester resin system.
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