Abstract: Particle toughened, fiber-reinforced composites include a fiber region and an interlayer region between the fibers. The fiber region includes a plurality of fibers at least partially within a first polymer composition including a first base polymer formulation and a first plurality of toughening particles. The interlayer region includes a second polymer composition including a second base polymer formulation and at least one of the first plurality of toughening particles and a second plurality of toughening particles. Examples of first and second pluralities of toughening particles, respectively, may include core shell rubbers and polyimides. Increasing concentration of the first plurality of toughening particles may improve the composite toughness while preserving thermal properties of the composite, such as weight loss after extended duration exposure to elevated temperature.

Abstract: Particle-toughened polymer compositions include a base polymer formulation and a plurality of toughening particles. In certain embodiments, the base polymer formulation includes bismaleimides or other polymer resins capable of high temperature service. A first plurality of toughening particles may include core shell rubbers. A second plurality of toughening particles may be selected from a variety of polymer compositions, including polyimides, polyether ketone (PEK), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyether ketone ketone (PEKK), polyether imide, polyether sulfones, and polyphenylene oxide. It is found that increasing concentration of the core shell rubbers may improve the toughness of the composition while preserving thermal properties of the composition, such as glass transition temperature.

Abstract: Particle toughened, fiber-reinforced composites include a fiber region and an interlayer region between the fibers. The fiber region includes a plurality of fibers at least partially within a first polymer composition including a first base polymer formulation and a first plurality of toughening particles. The interlayer region includes a second polymer composition including a second base polymer formulation and at least one of the first plurality of toughening particles and a second plurality of toughening particles. Examples of first and second pluralities of toughening particles, respectively, may include core shell rubbers and polyimides. Increasing concentration of the first plurality of toughening particles may improve the composite toughness while preserving thermal properties of the composite, such as weight loss after extended duration exposure to elevated temperature.

Abstract: Particle toughened, fiber-reinforced composites include a fiber region and an interlayer region between the fibers. The fiber region includes a plurality of fibers at least partially within a first polymer composition including a first base polymer formulation and a first plurality of toughening particles. The interlayer region includes a second polymer composition including a second base polymer formulation and at least one of the first plurality of toughening particles and a second plurality of toughening particles. Examples of first and second pluralities of toughening particles, respectively, may include core shell rubbers and polyimides. Increasing concentration of the first plurality of toughening particles may improve the composite toughness while preserving thermal properties of the composite, such as weight loss after extended duration exposure to elevated temperature.

Abstract: Particle toughened, fiber-reinforced composites include a fiber region and an interlayer region between the fibers. The fiber region includes a plurality of fibers at least partially within a first polymer composition including a first base polymer formulation and a first plurality of toughening particles. The interlayer region includes a second polymer composition including a second base polymer formulation and at least one of the first plurality of toughening particles and a second plurality of toughening particles. Examples of first and second pluralities of toughening particles, respectively, may include core shell rubbers and polyimides. Increasing concentration of the first plurality of toughening particles may improve the composite toughness while preserving thermal properties of the composite, such as weight loss after extended duration exposure to elevated temperature.

Abstract: Particle-toughened polymer compositions include a base polymer formulation and a plurality of toughening particles. In certain embodiments, the base polymer formulation includes bismaleimides or other polymer resins capable of high temperature service. A first plurality of toughening particles may include core shell rubbers. A second plurality of toughening particles may be selected from a variety of polymer compositions, including polyimides, polyether ketone (PEK), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyether ketone ketone (PEKK), polyether imide, polyether sulfones, and polyphenylene oxide. It is found that increasing concentration of the core shell rubbers may improve the toughness of the composition while preserving thermal properties of the composition, such as glass transition temperature.

Abstract: Stiffness-treated honeycomb sandwich structures which exhibit reduced core crush and/or reduced void content are provided. Additionally, stiffness-treated prepreg plies which exhibit increased frictional resistance when disposed on other prepreg plies are also provided. Further, associated starting materials and methods are provided.

Abstract: Stiffness-treated honeycomb sandwich structures which exhibit reduced core crush and/or reduced void content are provided. Additionally, stiffness-treated prepreg plies which exhibit increased frictional resistance when disposed on other prepreg plies are also provided. Further, associated starting materials and methods are provided.

Abstract: A shaped article optionally containing a prepreg, or a composite derived from the shaped article with the prepreg, is prepared from a curable composition derived from the reaction in the presence of a catalyst of epoxy resin having at least 0.05% by weight of an epoxy resin oligomer with a solid rubber possessing at least 1% by weight of reactive groups and which is swellable or soluble in the reaction mixture, in a rubber epoxy resin weight ratio between 1:1 to 1:20, wherein said epoxy resin comprises (a) at least one first epoxy resin having an epoxy functionality of greater than three and (b) at least one second epoxy resin having a functionality of greater than one to three.

Abstract: A curable composition and a method of making it comprises reacting in the presence of a catalyst epoxy resin(s) having at least 0.05% by weight of epoxy resin oligomer with a solid rubber which is swellable or soluble in the reaction mixture and possessing at least 1% by weight of reactive groups, in a rubber:epoxy resin(s) weight ratio of between 1:1 and 1:20, wherein said epoxy resin(s) comprises (a) at least one epoxy resin having an epoxy functionality of greater than three and (b) at least one second epoxy resin having a functionality of greater than one but not more than three; heating to effect the reaction, cooling to substantially ambient temperature, and adding any remaining portion of epoxy resin and curing agent(s).