Three different types of additives, thiokol, epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and epoxidized linseed oil (ELO), were dispersed in an epoxy matrix before being used in glass fiber (GF) composites, and their effects on the mechanical and dielectric properties of epoxy resin and glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites (GF/EP) were examined. The addition of each of 7 phr ENR, 9 phr ELO and 5 phr thiokol into the epoxy resin increased the fracture toughness significantly by 56.9, 43.1, and 80.0%, respectively, compared to the unmodified resin. The mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of the GF/EP at propagation was also improved by 26.9, 18.3 and 32.7% when each of 7 phr ENR, 9 phr ELO, and 5 phr thiokol, respectively, was dispersed in the epoxy matrix. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the additives reduced crack growth in the GF/EP, whereas their dielectric measurements showed that all these additives had no additional effect on the real permittivity and loss factor of the GF/EP.

Keywords: glass fiber; epoxy resin; fracture toughness; dielectric property.