Matrix epoxy resins

The bonded assemblies were produced using two adhesives. The first, which will be discussed in more detail here, is the matrix epoxy resin employed either to bond the composite adherends (in the case of lap shear and L specimens) or to overlaminate onto a balsa sandwich or monolithic composite base in the case of top hat specimens. The second is a more ductile epoxy resin (Redux 420), used to bond the composite adherends. Figure 1... 

Table 7.2 Matrix epoxy resin systems and iayup repeat value in [0/ 45/90°]x, iayup for Karasek et al. [66] iaminates...

Carbon fibers are especially used in the production of highly stressed construction materials, in combination with a matrix (epoxy resin, phenolic resin) and for the production of high-strength sports equipment (golf clubs, tennis racquets, skis). If a further reduction can be achieved in production costs, then a whole new field of application could open up, especially in the automobile industry. 

Piezocomposite transducers are an advancement of piezoelectric ceramics. Instead of the classic piezoceramic material, a compound of polymer and piezoceramic is used for the composite element to improve specific properties. The 1-3 structure, which is nowadays mostly used as transducer material, refers to parallel ceramic rods incorporated in an epoxy-resin matrix (see Fig. 1). 

In Figure 5.24 the predicted direct stress distributions for a glass-filled epoxy resin under unconstrained conditions for both pha.ses are shown. The material parameters used in this calculation are elasticity modulus and Poisson s ratio of (3.01 GPa, 0.35) for the epoxy matrix and (76.0 GPa, 0.21) for glass spheres, respectively. According to this result the position of maximum stress concentration is almost directly above the pole of the spherical particle. Therefore for a... 

Composites. Various composite materials have evolved over the years as a significant class of high performance textile products. The prototype composite is carbon fiber with an epoxy resin matrix for stmctural akcraft components and other aerospace and military appHcations. Carbon fiber composites ate also used in various leisure and spotting items such as golf clubs, tennis rackets, and lightweight bicycle frames. However, other types of appHcations and composites ate also entering the marketplace. For example, short ceUulose fiber/mbbet composites ate used for hoses, belting, and pneumatic tire components. 

The thermoplastic or thermoset nature of the resin in the colorant—resin matrix is also important. For thermoplastics, the polymerisation reaction is completed, the materials are processed at or close to their melting points, and scrap may be reground and remolded, eg, polyethylene, propjiene, poly(vinyl chloride), acetal resins (qv), acryhcs, ABS, nylons, ceUulosics, and polystyrene (see Olefin polymers Vinyl polymers Acrylic ester polymers Polyamides Cellulose ESTERS Styrene polymers). In the case of thermoset resins, the chemical reaction is only partially complete when the colorants are added and is concluded when the resin is molded. The result is a nonmeltable cross-linked resin that caimot be reworked, eg, epoxy resins (qv), urea—formaldehyde, melamine—formaldehyde, phenoHcs, and thermoset polyesters (qv) (see Amino resins and plastics Phenolic resins). 

Eor the case of high modulus fibers such as carbon fibers with = 240 GPa (3.5 x 10 psi), in a polymer matrix, such as epoxy resin with = 3.0 GPa (450,000 psi), the extensional modulus is approximately proportional to the fiber volume fraction and the modulus of the fibers ... 

Currendy, epoxy resins (qv) constitute over 90% of the matrix resin material used in advanced composites. The total usage of advanced composites is expected to grow to around 45,500 t by the year 2000, with the total resin usage around 18,000 t in 2000. Epoxy resins are expected to stiH constitute about 80% of the total matrix-resin-systems market in 2000. The largest share of the remaining market will be divided between bismaleimides and polyimide systems (12 to 15%) and what are classified as other polymers, including thermoplastics and thermoset resins other than epoxies, bismaleimides, cyanate esters, and polyimide systems (see Composites,polymer-matrix-thermoplastics). 

The addition—reaction product of bisphenol A [80-05-07] and glycidyl methacrylate [106-91-2] is a compromise between epoxy and methacrylate resins (245). This BSI—GMA resin polymerizes through a free-radical induced covalent bonding of methacrylate rather than the epoxide reaction of epoxy resins (246). Mineral fillers coated with a silane coupling agent, which bond the powdered inorganic fillers chemically to the resin matrix, are incorporated into BSI—GMA monomer diluted with other methacrylate monomers to make it less viscous (245). A second monomer commonly used to make composites is urethane dimethacrylate [69766-88-7]. 

Flexibilized epoxy resins are important structural adhesives [69]. Liquid functionally terminated nitrile rubbers are excellent flexibilizing agents for epoxy resins. This liquid nitrile rubber can be reacted into the epoxy matrix if it contains carboxylated terminated functionalities or by adding an amine terminated rubber. The main effects produced by addition of liquid nitrile rubber in epoxy formulations is the increase in T-peel strength and in low-temperature lap shear strength, without reducing the elevated temperature lap shear. 

In the narrow sense, bis-maleimide resin means the thermosetting resin eom-posed of the bis-maleimide of methylene dianiline (BMI, bis(4-maleimidophenyl)-methane) and methylene dianiline (MDA, bis(4-aminophenyl)methane) (Fig. 1). Beeause of the addition meehanism, the resin is eured without elimination, whieh is a eharacteristic of this resin. Bis-maleimide resin is used as a thermally stable matrix up to 204°C (400 F) whieh typical epoxy resins may not normally be used. However, in spite of having an imide structure, bis-maleimides are classified as being moderately thermally stable resins. The aliphatic structure of the resin is not stable for long periods above 232°C (450°F.) If a highly aromatic thermally stable thermosetting resin is necessary, acetylene end-capped aromatic imide-based oligomers should be used. 

Shear-stress-shear-strain curves typical of fiber-reinforced epoxy resins are quite nonlinear, but all other stress-strain curves are essentially linear. Hahn and Tsai [6-48] analyzed lamina behavior with this nonlinear deformation behavior. Hahn [6-49] extended the analysis to laminate behavior. Inelastic effects in micromechanics analyses were examined by Adams [6-50]. Jones and Morgan [6-51] developed an approach to treat nonlinearities in all stress-strain curves for a lamina of a metal-matrix or carbon-carbon composite material. Morgan and Jones extended the lamina analysis to laminate deformation analysis [6-52] and then to buckling of laminated plates [6-53]. 

Viscoelastic characteristics of composite materials usually result from a viscoelastic-matrix material such as epoxy resin. General stress analysis of viscoelastic composites was discussed by Schapery [6-54]. An important application to laminated plates was made by Sims [6-55]. 

In one series of laboratory tests carried out to find the optimum wear resistance of heavy-duty epoxy resin flooring compositions, a number of different abrasion resistant materials were evaluated using BS 416, employing three different epoxy resin binders which themselves had significantly differing chemical compositions and mechanical properties. The results of this work, which was carried out under dry conditions, are given in Table 9.1. As can be seen from the table, the selection of the abrasion-resistant material and the resin matrix both influence the abrasion resistance of the system, although the abrasive material incorporated appears to play a more cmcial role. 

Thermal decomposition of the matrix material offers a simple way of recovering the relatively expensive reinforcing fibres from a fibre-reinforced laminate. The epoxy resin matrix was made to decompose by thermal treatment in air or nitrogen, this treatment allowing the carbon fibres to be recovered without damage. 

Liquid rubbers In order to improve the flexibihty of short glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites, Kaynak et al. [53] modified the epoxy resin matrix with hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) liquid mbber. A silane coupling agent was also used to improve the interfacial adhesion between glass fibers and epoxy matrix. However, Humpidge et al. [54] reported some unique processing problems for the resulting pasty mixmres when short textile fibers were incorporated in a hquid mbber medium. 

Composite Particles, Inc. reported the use of surface-modified rubber particles in formulations of thermoset systems, such as polyurethanes, polysulfides, and epoxies [95], The surface of the mbber was oxidized by a proprietary gas atmosphere, which leads to the formation of polar functional groups like —COOH and —OH, which in turn enhanced the dispersibility and bonding characteristics of mbber particles to other polar polymers. A composite containing 15% treated mbber particles per 85% polyurethane has physical properties similar to those of the pure polyurethane. Inclusion of surface-modified waste mbber in polyurethane matrix increases the coefficient of friction. This finds application in polyurethane tires and shoe soles. The treated mbber particles enhance the flexibility and impact resistance of polyester-based constmction materials [95]. Inclusion of treated waste mbber along with carboxyl terminated nitrile mbber (CTBN) in epoxy formulations increases the fracture toughness of the epoxy resins [96]. 

In a study of dental silicate cements, Kent, Fletcher Wilson (1970) used electron probe analysis to study the fully set material. Their method of sample preparation varied slightly from the general one described above, in that they embedded their set cement in epoxy resin, polished the surface to flatness, and then coated it with a 2-nm carbon layer to provide electrical conductivity. They analysed the various areas of the cement for calcium, silicon, aluminium and phosphorus, and found that the cement comprised a matrix containing phosphorus, aluminium and calcium, but not silicon. The aluminosilicate glass was assumed to develop into a gel which was relatively depleted in calcium. 

The residue produced from the 350°C run contained discernible resinite particles. In contrast, examination of the fluorescence of residues from the two 370° runs in blue light showed that little resinite was left undissolved other than that incorporated within a matrix of other macerals. Instead, a diffuse fluorescence had been imparted to the epoxy resin embedding medium. Presumably, the epoxy was able to dissolve some of the liquefied resin remaining after extraction with ethyl acetate. In the residue from the run at 400°C, only one discrete resinite particle was observed among the many coal particles embedded in the epoxy polymer. It appears that in a short time at 350°, most, but not all, of the resinite undergoes liquefaction. All other material in the sample needs considerably more severe treatment. 

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