@inproceedings{a0c4dc612aeb471fa3d601b7729589c4,
title = "Epoxy toughening with nano-sized amphiphilic block copolymer micelles",
abstract = "An amphiphilic poly(ethylene-alt-propylene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEP-PEO) block copolymer (BCP) was blended with a bisphenol A-based epoxy resin formulation and self-assembled into a worm-like micelle structure. With an incorporation of 5 wt% of the BCP material, the fracture toughness was improved by more than 100% over the neat epoxy. The morphology and mechanical properties of this BCP-modified epoxy were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fracture toughness measurements. Toughening mechanisms from the worm-like micelle modified material were investigated using the double-notch four-point-bending (DN-4PB) technique, and the results are compared to data obtained from the same epoxy thermoset formulation containing a BCP that self-assembled into spherical micelles. Elongated cylindrical micelles produce improved toughness, which is interpreted based on a combination of mechanisms including crack tip blunting, cavitation, particle debonding, limited shear yielding, and crack bridging. The implications of the present study for polymer toughening in general are also discussed.",
keywords = "Block copolymer, Epoxy toughening, Micelle, Rubber, Worm-like micelle",
author = "Daniel Liu and Sue, {Hung Jue} and Thompson, {Zachary J.} and Bates, {Frank S.} and Hillmyer, {Marc A.}",
year = "2013",
language = "English (US)",
isbn = "9781482205817",
series = "Technical Proceedings of the 2013 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Expo, NSTI-Nanotech 2013",
pages = "597--600",
booktitle = "Technical Proceedings of the 2013 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Expo, NSTI-Nanotech 2013",
note = "Nanotechnology 2013: Advanced Materials, CNTs, Particles, Films and Composites - 2013 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Expo, NSTI-Nanotech 2013 ; Conference date: 12-05-2013 Through 16-05-2013",
}