Effect of crumb rubber addition on the deformation and fracture behavior of ductile epoxy matrix

Abstract

AbstractA strategy is demonstrated to utilize the waste crumb rubber in ductile epoxy for low‐strength structural applications. The crosslink density is reduced to improve the ductility of epoxy by increasing the hardener concentration more than its stoichiometric composition. The ductile epoxy (Ep) is blended with 5, 10, and 20 wt% of crumb rubber particles. The rubber/epoxy (EpR) composites are characterized through quasi‐static and dynamic testing to quantify the effect of crumb rubber addition in a ductile epoxy matrix. Quasi‐static compression results show that energy absorption is enhanced after adding 5–10 wt% of crumb rubber in epoxy. Furthermore, it is found that crumb rubber modification markedly increased the energy of fracture. Crumb rubber inclusion also improves the storage modulus () and glass transition temperature (Tg) of Ep. While crumb rubber particles do not enhance the compressive response of Ep under high strain rate loading, their addition significantly reduces the intensity of the transmitted wave. Subsequently, it suggests dual advantages, that is, Ep can be effectively toughened with 5–10 wt% of crumb rubber, and the resulting EpR may be used as an interlayer/backing plate in impact‐resistant panels to mitigate adverse effects of the transmitted stress waves.