Mechanical properties of glass fiber composites with an epoxy resin modified by a liquid crystalline epoxy

• Published in: Polymer composites Vol. 23; no. 4; pp. 564 - 573
• Main Authors: Punchaipetch, Prakaipetch, D'Souza, Nandika Anne, Brostow, Witold, Smith Sr, James T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.08.2002; Willey; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Laminates; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; Laminate; Fiber reinforced material; Epoxy resin; Mechanical properties; Tensile property; Organic anhydride; Experimental study; Composite material; Fracture toughness; Bending strength; Chemical modification; Matrix fiber interface; Curing(plastics); Liquid crystal polymers; Impact strength; Glass fiber; Textile fiber; Modified material
• ISSN: 0272-8397; 1548-0569
• DOI: 10.1002/pc.10457

The effect of liquid crystalline networks on epoxy + glass fiber composites is investigated. The matrix obtained from in‐situ curing of liquid crystalline (LC) diglycidyl ether of 4,4‐dihydroxybiphenol (DGE‐DHBP) with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol F (DGEBP‐F) by anhydride curing agent was used as the matrix for polymer composites. Impact, tensile, and flexural testing results are compared between the unmodified and modified systems. The interlaminar fracture toughness of commposites in the shear mode was determined by end notch flexure (ENF) tests. Scanning electron microscopy is used to study the fracture surfaces to understand the mechanism of fracture and interphase formation between the fiber and the matrix.