Study on T700/cyanate/PS/epoxy composites with ex-situ toughening technique

Composites were prepared with polysulfone through ex-situ toughening technique. The dynamic parameters of cyanate/epoxy resin were studied by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Microstructual toughening mechanism was studied through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particle microstructure in interlaminar region of composites toughened through ex-situ toughening technique revealed that a reaction induced phase decomposition and phase inversion happened in the interlaminar region. The thermosetting particles were surrounded by the PS phase, which could significantly improve the delamination resistance of composites. The compression after impact (CAI) can be significantly improved from 180 MPa to 260 MPa by using ex-situ toughening while the mechanical properties are not affected.