The fracture behavior of a hybrid-rubber-modified epoxy system was investigated. The modified epoxy included amine-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile (ATBN) rubber and recycled tire particles as fine and coarse modifiers, respectively. The results of the fracture toughness (KIC) measurement of the blends revealed synergistic toughening in the hybrid system when 7.5-phr small particles (ATBN) and 2.5-phr large particles (recycled tire) were incorporated. Transmission optical micrographs showed different toughening mechanisms for the blends; fine ATBN particles increased the toughness by increasing the size of the damage zone and respective plastic deformation in the vicinity of the crack tip. However, in the case of hybrid resin, coarse recycled rubber particles acted as large stress concentrators and resulted in the branching of the original crack tip. Mode mixity at the branch tips led to synergistic KIC in the hybrid system. It seemed that the ductility of the matrix played an effective role in the nature of the crack-tip damage zone in the hybrid epoxies. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012