Abstract
In this study the aim is to clarify the effect of molecular weight distribution on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the epoxy resins with same average molecular weight. Four types of epoxy blends with the different molecular weight distribution were formulated using commercial Bisphenol-A diglycidyl ethers. The microstructure and the mechanical properties of the blends were investigated. Dynamic mechanical analysis and microscopic observation revealed that difference of the crosslink density in the resin and the size of the repeated heterogeneous structure became larger as the molecular weight distribution was broader. In particular, the epoxy blend with the widest distribution had a co-continuous phase structure in submicron-scale as a result of reaction-induced phase separation. Whereas the flexural modulus and the flexural strength were insensitive to the molecular weight distribution and the morphology of the cured resin, the fracture toughness enhanced as the molecular weight distribution broadened and the heterogeneity of the crosslink density increased. Fracture mechanisms were discussed using proposed microstructure models.
