Non-destructive observation of internal structures of epoxy monolith and co-continuous network polymer using X-ray CT imaging for elucidation of their unique mechanical features and fracture mechanism

New kind of polymer composites, i.e., co-continuous network polymers (CNP), were fabricated by the filling of the continuous pores of an epoxy monolith (EM) with a cross-linked acrylate polymer. The internal structures of EM and CNP were non-destructively observed by X-ray CT imaging. The mechanical properties of EM were highly dependent on the pore and epoxy frame sizes. Increasing the molar ratio of the amino groups to glycidyl groups during the monolith fabrication process created a coarser co-continuous structure. It greatly enhanced the stretching property of EM. Filling the pores of EM with a rubbery cross-linked acrylate polymer as the second component increased the maximum strength of CNP, independent of the pore size. Furthermore, the gap formation at the boundary between the hard phase and the soft phase of CNP was observed by X-ray CT imaging for the broken test piece used for a tensile test. We discussed a mechanism for the deformation and fracture of EM and CNP.