Effect of reinforcing glass fibers on morphology and properties of thermoplastic modified epoxy-aromatic diamine matrix

A usual way to improve the fracture toughness of thermosetting polymers consists of using an initially miscible thermoplastic that phase separates at a particular conversion, depending on composition and reaction temperature. This work deals with the effect of glass reinforcing fibers on the morphologies of polyetherimide and aminografted polyetherimide toughened epoxy-diamine systems. The presence of fibers in these systems does not affect the phase separation process, but the final morphology changes in the case where polyetherimide (PEI) is used as an additive. Furthermore, the use of aminografted PEI does not change the previously observed morphology. In terms of mechanical properties, the use of fibers leads to a great improvement in the fracture energy, indicating that good adhesion between fiber and matrix is also achieved. (C) 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.