The compressive properties of expandable microspheres/epoxy foams

Abstract

Expandable microspheres/epoxy foams with different densities and microstructures were prepared by changing the foaming temperature and the precuring extent. The microstructure of foams reveals a homogeneous distribution of cells at high precuring extent and high foaming temperature, while small cells size at high precuring extent and low foaming temperature. Furthermore, the compressive properties of epoxy foams were investigated. The compressive strength and modulus of the foam exhibited a power-law dependence with respect to density. By optimizing the foaming temperature and the precuring extent, epoxy foams with homogeneous cells and stable compressive property can be obtained. Fracture surface showed that deformed microspheres and less debris were observed at relatively high-density foams. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.