Abstract:
[Problem] To provide: a fiber-reinforced composite material having both Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness and compressive strength under wet heat conditions; an epoxy resin composition for producing the fiber-reinforced composite material; and a prepreg produced using the epoxy resin composition. [Solution] An epoxy resin composition comprising at least the following constituents [A], [B] and [C]: [A] an epoxy resin; [B] composite polyamide microparticles which satisfy such a requirement (b1) the materials constituting the particles are a polyamide (B1) and a thermoplastic elastomer resin (B2), such a requirement (b2) that the melting point or the glass transition temperature of the polyamide (B1) is higher than 100° C. and such a requirement (b3) the number average particle diameter is 0.1 to 100 μm; and [C] a curing agent.
Abstract:
The invention provides a prepreg that can give a fiber-reinforced composite material exhibiting stable and excellent interlaminar fracture toughness and impact resistance under wide molding conditions. The prepreg includes at least a reinforcement fiber [A], a thermosetting resin [B], and the following component [C] wherein 90% or more of the material [C] is present inside a region of the prepreg that extends from any surface of the prepreg to a prepreg site having, from the surface, a depth of 20% of the thickness of the prepreg. The component [C] satisfies requirements that (i) the storage elastic modulus G′ of the material constituting the particles is more than 1 MPa, and 70 MPa or less at 180° C., and that (ii) the ratio of the storage elastic modulus G′ of the material constituting the particles at 160° C. to the storage elastic modulus G′ of the material at 200° C. ranges from 1 to 5; and is insoluble in the thermosetting resin [B].