Hybrid composites of epoxy resin modified with carboxyl terminated butadiene acrilonitrile copolymer and fly ash microspheres

Hybrid composites were prepared using epoxy resin (ER), carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile copolymer (CTBN) and fly ash microspheres (mean particle size 123 μm), in different proportions. The mechanical properties of the composites were evaluated and the microstructure was investigated through scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the impact resistance of CTBN-modified ER was superior to that of the pure epoxy resin. For the hybrid composites with fly ash, an improvement of the impact properties was noticed only when CTBN was added.