EFFECT OF REINFORCING FIBERS ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF A TOUGHENED EPOXY AMINE SYSTEM/

The effect of reinforcing fibres on the morphology of a thermoplastica lly toughened tri-functional epoxy resin cured with an aromatic harden er has been studied using optical microscopy. Single and multiple stra nds of different types of fibres were placed within curing resin matri ces containing varying thermoplastic concentrations. The fibres appear ed to encourage the development of large particles (significantly larg er than would be found in the bulk matrix), which remained at the fibr e surface. A plain weave glass fibre tape was also found to greatly af fect the final morphology of the same system. The results indicate tha t the morphology of a thermoplastic modified epoxy/amine resin is sign ificantly affected by reinforcing fibres. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Lt d.