Block copolymer toughened epoxy: Theory and experiment

ORAL

Abstract

We have recently combined small angle x-ray scattering and tensile experiments to follow real-time deformation of block copolymer nanostructures in order to understand toughness enhancement in block copolymer modified epoxies. Our experiments provided direct evidence of internal cavitation in rubbery nanodomains. In this presentation we show that our observations are consistent with the predictions from an energy balance-based cavitation criteria recently modified by Bucknall and Paul [Polymer \textbf{50}, 5539 (2009) \& Polymer \textbf{54}, 320 (2013)].

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Authors

  • Carmelo Declet-Perez

    Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota

  • Lorraine Francis

    Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota

  • Frank S. Bates

    Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Univ of Minn - Minneapolis, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota