Epoxy resins are widely used in industry due to their outstanding thermal and dimensional stability, high modulus and solvent resistance. Unfortunately they tend to form britde films and consequently there is much interest in the development of toughening agents that increase toughness but without affecting the epoxy thermomechanical properties. This paper briefly reviews some of the options: dendritic and hyperbranched polymers and block copolymers. The incorporation of a second phase, such as rubber particles or mineral fillers can improve stiffness and toughness in polymer composites.
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