Epoxy terminated butadiene nitrile

The use of rubbers (particularly epoxy-terminated butadiene nitrile, ETBN, rubber or carboxy-termi-nated butadiene acrylonitrile, CTBN, rubber) to toughen thermoset polymers is perhaps the most widely explored method and has been applied with some measure of success in epoxy resins. Phase separation of the second rubbery phase occurs during cure and its incorporation in the epoxy matrix can significantly enhance the fracture toughness of the thermoset. Although the rubber has a low shear modulus, its bulk modulus is comparable to the value measured for the epoxy, ensuring that the rubber inclusions introduced... 

Epoxy-nitrile Nitrile-epoxy adhesives are composed of solid epoxy resin modified with carboxyl-terminated butadiene nitrile (CTBN) copolymer. The CBTN is introduced into die epoxy resin at elevated temperatures. The modification provides toughness and high peel strength without sacrificing heat and chemical resistance. The film adhesives are widely used in the aerospace industry in the construction of jetliners. 

The epoxy-nitrile adhesives were introduced commercially in the late 1960s. They consisted primarily of DGEBA epoxy resin modified with carboxyl-terminated butadiene nitrile (CTBN) rubber. These first nitrile copolymers were available from B.F. Goodrich under the trade name of Hycar. The most convenient form of epoxy nitrile adhesive, especially when one is bonding large parts (aircraft structures), is a supported film. However, solvent solutions of epoxy-nitrile adhesives have also been commercially available. 

The thermosetting films are employed for metal-to-metal bonding in aircraft, as well as less demanding appliance, electrical, and automotive requirements. These adhesives are hybrids designed to provide an optimum combination of shear strength, elongation, and heat resistance. Nitrile-phenolic and epoxy-nitrile are the leaders, followed by vinyl butyral-phe-nolic, epoxy-nylon, and epoxy-phenolic. The nitrile rubber in the epoxy-nitrile is a carboxyl-terminated butadiene-nitrile polymer which reacts with the epoxy at the elevated cure temperature. 

Fig. 89. Static and impact joint strengths for four adhesives with 2L73 ad-herends epoxy modified by carboxy-terminated butadiene-nitrile rubber (CTBN) ESP 105 (Permabond Ltd) AY103 and MY750 (Ciba-Geigy Ltd).

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