Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.123, No.3, 1597-1603, 2012
Effect of NBR on Epoxy/Glass Prepregs Properties
Solid acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) was used in epoxy resin for toughening and also for increasing the tack of epoxy/glass prepregs. The NBR used in this study was a rubber with 33% acrylonitrile content. The changes in thermal and mechanical properties such as glass transition temperature (T(g)), curing characteristics and lap-shear strength have been studied. For this purpose, three types of prepregs with two levels of NBR content of 3 and 5%, were prepared. Prepregs were made by solvent type impregnation apparatus. In this method, resin impregnates satin textile glass fiber under the controlled and constant condition of line speed and oven temperature. Prepregs were B-staged for about 3%. The cure characterization, T(g) and flow behavior were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry and rheological analysis. Results showed that increasing the rubber content caused the following effects: (a) delay in gel time of prepregs, (b) increase in activation energy of prepregs, and (c) decrease in total heat of curing reaction. It is interesting that NBR increased the tack of epoxy/glass prepreg but, had no effect on its resin flow behavior. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123: 1597-1603, 2012