Influence of polyethersulfone modification of a tetrafunctional epoxy matrix on the fracture behavior of composite laminates based on woven carbon fibers

Abstract In this study, the influence of poly(ethersulfone) (PES) as a modifying agent of a tetrafunctional epoxy matrix (TGDDM) on the mechanical behavior of composite laminates based on woven carbon fibers has been investigated. Dynamic mechanical experiments were performed on neat matrix resins and on their corresponding laminate composites. Mode‐I and Mode‐II fracture toughness tests for the bulk matrices and their composites, respectively, and also flexural and short beam shear tests (SBS) were carried out. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the morphologies obtained. A nanoscopic phase separation was obtained after PES addition, which was not able to stabilize the fracture process, leading, as a consequence, to a poor extent of improvement on fracture toughness properties. Polym. Compos. 25:480–488, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.