The role Of matrix ductility on the toughenability and toughening mechanism of elastomer-modified, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)-based epoxies is investigated. Matrix ductility is varied by using epoxide resins of varying epoxide monomer molecular weights. These epoxide resins are cured using 4,4′ diaminodiphenyl sulphone (DDS) and, in some cases, modified with 10 vol% carboxyl-terminated copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile (CTBN). Fracture toughness values for the neat epoxies are found to be almost independent of the monomer molecular weight of the epoxide resin used. However, the fracture toughness of the elastomer-modified epoxies is found to be very dependent upon the epoxide monomer molecular weight. Tensile dilatometry indicates that the toughening mechanism, when present, is similar to the mechanism found for piperidine cured, elastomer-modified epoxies studied previously. Scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy techniques corroborate this finding.
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