LAUSR

Cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) particles were dispersed in various amounts in an epoxy matrix, and the resulting blends were used to impregnate unidirectional carbon fibers (CF) by hand lay-up. The thermal stability was not substantially modified by the presence of COC particles. The mixture of the two polymers resulted in a phase separated blend and the flexural modulus and interlaminar shear strength progressively decreased with the addition of COC particles in the laminates. Mode I fracture toughness tests were executed on double cantilever beam specimens. The opened crack was then thermally mended at 190 °C for 1 h. The laminates containing 30 wt.% of COC particles showed a healing efficiency of ~180%.