Strain recovery and stored energy release of a post-yield deformed epoxy resin and its epoxy/layered silicate nanocomposite

The strain recovery behaviour of an epoxy resin and of an epoxy-layered silicate nanocomposite deformed at high nominal strain levels (50%) was investigated in isothermal recovery experiments. By representing the whole recovery process in terms of strain recovery master curves, it was possible to evidence differences in the recovery features of the two materials. Further, the study of the energy stored in the materials and of its release process permitted to distinguish the part of recovery occurring with heat release from that occurring after that all the stored energy is released.