The influence of micropores on the dynamic-mechanical properties on reinforced epoxy foams

The subject of this investigation is the influence of the content of microp ores on the mechanical properties of fibre-reinforced epoxy foams. The rein forcement was made of glass or carbon fabrics. A foam-like composite was ac hieved, which contained 42.0 vol% glass fibres, 27.4 vol% micropores at a d ensity of 1.4 g cm(-3). When the foam was reinforced with 50 vol% carbon fi bres the composite contained 15 vol% micropores. The load increasing test for these reinforced foams showed an interdependen ce between the damping and the content of micropores; the breaking stress d ecreased with increasing micropore content. The Wohler fatigue test showed similar curves, the fatigue limit decreased with increasing micropore content. The most distinct influence of micropores on the composite was observed at the impact test. The loss energy increased with increasing content of micro pores. (C) 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers.