Amphiphilic block copolymers and inorganic nanofillers to enhance performance of thermosetting polymers

Abstract

Curable compositions, cured compositions, and methods of forming the same, including an epoxy resin, a curing agent, an amphiphilic toughening agent, and an inorganic nanofiller, wherein the toughening agent forms a second phase having at least one dimension being on the nanometer scale.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method of forming a composite, comprising:
 admixing an epoxy resin, a curing agent, an amphiphilic toughening agent, and an inorganic nanofiller to form a curable composition;   curing the curable composition to form a composite;   wherein the toughening agent forms a second phase having at least one dimension being on the nanometer scale.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the admixing further comprises admixing a catalyst. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the curing comprises heating the curable composition to a temperature of at least 100° C. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the curing comprises two or more stages. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising post-treating the composite by heating the composite to a temperature of at least 100° C. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising applying the curable composition to a reinforcing material.