The influence of network structure on the macroscopic mechanical properties of crosslinked polymers

Neat and rubber-toughened epoxy resin systems EPN/BA and EPN/DDS with significantly different crosslink densities and glass transition temperatures were tested under widely different experimental conditions ranging from impact to long-term loading. The resulting deformation mechanisms were examined in order to ascertain the effects of network structure and toughening modifiers. Different toughening mechanisms were observed in low- and high-crosslink-density epoxy systems, modified with the same core-shell rubber particles.