Enhancement of ablative and interfacial bonding properties of EPDM composites by incorporating epoxy phenolic resin

Effects of epoxy phenolic resin (EPR) on ablative and interfacial bonding properties of EPDM composites were evaluated. Ablative properties of EPDM composites were enhanced by two folds with incorporating 10 phr EPR. This significant enhancement was attributed to positive effect of EPR on thermal stability and thermal insulating properties of EPDM composites as well as formation of compact char layer onto composites. Furthermore, interfacial shear strength of EPDM composites with carbon fiber/epoxy (CF/EP) composites was increased by 55.6% with incorporating 10 phr EPR, due to interfacial chemical reaction of epoxide groups of EPR molecule from EPDM composites with amine group of hardener from CF/EP composites.