Photosynthesis and application of polyfunctional poly(n‐butyl acrylate) elastomers for use in epoxy resin toughening

摘要

AbstractMedium molecular weight, novel polyfunctional elastomers, namely epoxy groups on poly(n‐butylacrylate) (ETPnBA) and carboxyl groups on poly(n‐butylacrylate) (CTPnBA) were photosynthesized for evaluation as the toughening agents in epoxy resins. The effect of the functionality and kind of functional group of the elastomers upon the toughening of epoxy resins modified with these rubbery copolymers as a second phase was investigated by tensile tests, impact test, and electron microscopy. It was found that there exists an optimum functionality of elastomers for maximum impact resistance in epoxy groups (ETPnBA) and carboxyl groups (CTPnBA) copolymer‐modified systems. Studies on morphology of the modified epoxy resin system indicated that the better toughening effects of multiple distribution of particle sizes. The aggregation of rubber particles occurring in carboxyl group CTPnBA modified epoxy resin caused a loss of toug