Interphases, gelation, vitrication, porous glasses and the generalized Cauchy relation: epoxy/silica nanocomposites

The generalized Cauchy relation (gCR) of epoxy/silica nanocomposites does not show either the chemically induced sol–gel transition or the chemically induced glass transition in the course of polymerization. Astonishingly, by varying the silica nanoparticles’ concentration between 0 and 25 vol%in the composites, the Cauchy parameter A of the gCR remains universal and can be determined from the pure epoxy’s elastic moduli. Air-filled porous silica glasses are considered as models for percolated silica particles. A longitudinal modulus versus density representation evidences the aforementioned transition phenomena during polymerization of the epoxy/silica nanocomposites. The existence of optically and mechanically relevant interphases is discussed.