Interphases, gelation, vitrication, porous glasses and the generalized Cauchy relation: epoxy/silica nanocomposites
English
Philipp, Martine[University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Physics and Materials Science Research Unit >]
Müller, Ulrich[University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Physics and Materials Science Research Unit >]
Jiménez Riobóo, R. J.[University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Physics and Materials Science Research Unit > ; Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco]
Baller, Jörg[University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Physics and Materials Science Research Unit > ; s/n, E-28049 Madrid, Spain]
Sanctuary, Roland[University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Physics and Materials Science Research Unit >]
Krüger, Jan-Kristian[University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Physics and Materials Science Research Unit >]
[en] The generalized Cauchy relation (gCR) of epoxy/silica nanocomposites does not show either the chemically induced sol–gel transition or the chemically induced glass transition in the course of polymerization. Astonishingly, by varying the silica nanoparticles’ concentration between 0 and 25 vol%in the composites, the Cauchy parameter A of the gCR remains universal and can be determined from the pure epoxy’s elastic moduli. Air-filled porous silica glasses are considered as models for percolated silica particles. A longitudinal modulus versus density representation evidences the aforementioned transition phenomena during polymerization of the epoxy/silica nanocomposites. The existence of optically and mechanically relevant interphases is discussed.