Thermal shock resistance of hybrid particulate-filled epoxy composites with hard and soft fillers

For improvement in toughness of epoxy casting materials! the technology of filling the epoxy with hard and soft particles is effective. In this study, thermal shock tests were carried out for a hybrid composite system that co nsisted of silica particulate as hard filler, methacrylate-butadiene-styren e rubber as soft filler and matrix of epoxy resin. The testing method was e stablished by the authors, and the thermal shock resistance of materials co uld be evaluated by using a disc-type specimen with a sharp notch. Fracture toughness of the hybrid composite materials improved remarkably by using b oth silica and MBS filler. However, the contribution of particle filling ef fect to thermal shock resistance was relatively small. These results were m ainly due to debonding of silica filler/matrix resin interface.