Effect of Functionalized Liquid Rubber on Mechanical Properties of an Epoxy Resin

Abstract In this study, an epoxy resin has been modified with different weight ratios of carboxyl‐terminated polybutadiene liquid rubber. The introduction of a pre‐reaction catalyst has been necessary to promote the reaction between the epoxy groups and the carboxylic acid groups of carboxyl‐terminated butadiene acrylonitrile copolymer. The occurred reaction has been confirmed by infrared spectroscopy analysis. The analysis of the mechanical properties has shown that the presence of elastomeric domains allows obtaining a matrix with greater flexibility. This allows making the material competitive for many applications such as adhesives and composite matrices where a high fracture toughness is required.