Analysis of the Effect of Network Structure and Disulfide Concentration on Vitrimer Properties

A set of five vitrimers with glass transition temperatures in the range of 80-90 °C were designed to assess the effect of the network structure and disulfide concentration on their dynamic and mechanical properties, and to find the best performing system overall compared to the commercial Araldite LY1564/Aradur 3486 commercial thermoset system. Vitrimer networks were prepared by incorporating mono- and bifunctional epoxy reactive diluents and an amine chain extender into the Araldite LY1564/4-aminophenyldisulfide system.

Role of Bio-Based and Fossil-Based Reactive Diluents in Epoxy Coatings with Amine and Phenalkamine Crosslinker

The properties of epoxy can be adapted depending on the selection of bio-based diluents and crosslinkers to balance the appropriate viscosity for processing and the resulting mechanical properties for coating applications. This work presents a comprehensive study on the structure-property relationships for epoxy coatings with various diluents of mono-, di-, and bio-based trifunctional glycidyl ethers or bio-based epoxidized soybean oil added in appropriate concentration ranges, in combination with a traditional fossil-based amine or bio-based phenalkamine crosslinker. The viscosity of epoxy resins was already reduced for diluents with simple linear molecular configurations at low concentrations, while higher concentrations of more complex multifunctional diluents were needed for a similar viscosity reduction. The curing kinetics were evaluated through the fitting of data from differential scanning calorimetry to an Arrhenius equation, yielding the lowest activation energies for difunctional diluents in parallel with a balance between viscosity and reactivity. While the variations in curing kinetics with a change in diluent were minor, the phenalkamine crosslinkers resulted in a stronger decrease in activation energy. For cured epoxy resins, the glass transition temperature was determined as an intrinsic parameter that was further related to the mechanical coating performance. Considerable effects of the diluents on coating properties were investigated, mostly showing a reduction in abrasive wear for trifunctional diluents in parallel with the variations in hardness and ductility. The high hydrophobicity for coatings with diluents remained after wear and provided good protection. In conclusion, the coating performance could be related to the intrinsic mechanical properties independently of the fossil- or bio-based origin of diluents and crosslinkers, while additional lubricating properties are presented for vegetable oil diluents.

Effect of Diluents on Mechanical Characteristics of Epoxy Compounds

The aim of this work is to assess the influence of different commercial diluents on some mechanical properties of two bisphenolic epoxy compounds, cold-cured by a polyamide curing agent, to be employed as epoxy structural adhesives for building and industrial applications. The diluents under analysis were epoxy, bituminous, nitro, acrylic and extraction. The choice of these products was made on the basis of their wide commercial availability as diluents for epoxies used as adhesives and in different industrial and construction applications. The diluents were all added in small proportions, i.e., from 1 to 10 g per 100 g of epoxy resin. The cold-cured epoxy compounds were subjected to compressive (according to ISO 604) and static tensile (according to ISO 527-1) tests. The same mechanical tests were performed on both unmodified epoxy resins, for comparison purposes. On the basis of the obtained results, it was concluded that the influence of the presence of a diluent, and of its amount, on the mechanical properties of epoxy compounds depends on the type of resin and of diluent, as well as on the mechanical characteristics analyzed.

Enhancement of Mechanical and Bond Properties of Epoxy Adhesives Modified by SiO2 Nanoparticles with Active Groups

In order to improve the mechanical and bond properties of epoxy adhesives for their wide scope of applications, modified epoxy adhesives were produced in this study with SiO₂ nanoparticles of 20 nm in size, including inactive groups, NH₂ active groups, and C₄H₈ active groups. The mechanical properties of specimens were examined, and an investigation was conducted into the effects of epoxy adhesive modified by three kinds of SiO₂ nanoparticles on the bond properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer and steel (CFRP/steel) double lap joints. According to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the distribution effect in epoxy adhesive of SiO₂ nanoparticles modified by active groups was better than that of inactive groups. When the mass fraction of SiO₂-C₄H₈ nanoparticles was 0.05%, the tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, bending strength, flexural modulus, and impact strength of the epoxy adhesives reached their maximum, which were 47.63%, 44.81%, 57.31%, 62.17%, 33.72%, 78.89%, and 68.86% higher than that of the EP, respectively, and 8.45%, 9.52%, 9.24%, 20.22%, 17.76%, 20.18%, and 12.65% higher than that of the inactive groups of SiO₂ nanoparticles, respectively. The SiO₂ nanoparticles modified with NH₂ or C₄H₈ active groups were effective in improving the ultimate load-bearing capacity and bond properties of epoxy adhesives glued to CFRP/steel double lap joints, thus increasing the strain and interface shear stress peak value of the CFRP surface.

Renewable green reactive diluent for bisphenol a epoxy resin system: curing kinetics and properties

Hydrosilylation epoxidized eugenol (HSI-EP-EU) is successfully synthesized and used as a reactive diluent for epoxy/anhydride (marked as P) and epoxy/imidazole (marked as I) curing systems. The reactive bio-based diluent HSI-EP-EU has an excellent dilution effect on petroleum-based epoxy resin (E44). The curing kinetics of P + HSI-EP-EU and I + HSI-EP-EU are studied by a non-isothermal DSC method. The kinetics parameters are calculated by using the Kissinger model, Crnae model, Ozawa model and β-T (temperature-heating speed) extrapolation, respectively, to determine theoretically reasonable curing conditions. In addition, the effects of HSI-EP-EU on the antibacterial properties, thermo-mechanical properties and thermal stability of P + HSI-EP-EU and I + HSI-EP-EU systems are also studied. It is found that HSI-EP-EU possessed obvious antibacterial properties and could effectively improve the mechanical properties for the I + HSI-EP-EU.

Hydrosilylation epoxidized eugenol (HSI-EP-EU) is successfully synthesized and used as a reactive diluent for epoxy/anhydride and epoxy/imidazole curing systems.

Structural Adhesives Tapes Based on a Solid Epoxy Resin and Multifunctional Acrylic Telomers

Thermally curable pressure-sensitive structural adhesives tapes (SATs) were compounded using a solid epoxy resin and multifunctional acrylic telomer solutions (MATs) prepared by a thermally initiated telomerization process in an epoxy diluent containing two kinds of telogens (CBr₄ or CBrCl₃). Dynamic viscosity, K-value, and volatile mater content in MATs (i.e., MAT-T with CBr₄, MAT-B with CBrCl₃) were investigated in relation to telogen type and content. The influence of MATs on the self-adhesive features and curing behavior of UV-crosslinked tapes as well as on the shear strength of thermally cured aluminum–SAT–aluminum joints was investigated as well. Increasing the telogen dose (from 5 to 15 wt. parts) caused significant improvement in the adhesion (+315% and +184%), tack (+147% and +298%), and cohesion (+414% and +1716%) of SATs based on MAT-T and MAT-B, respectively. Additionally, MATs with high telogen content (especially the MAT-T-type) improved the resistance of cured joints to aviation fuel, humidity, and elevated temperature. The highest overlap shear strength values were registered for SATs based on MATs containing 7.5 wt. parts of CBr₄ (16.7 MPa) or 10 wt. parts of CBrCl₃ (15.3 MPa).

Influence of resin curing cycle on the deformation of filament wound composites by in situ strain monitoring

The residual stress of metal liners wrapped by composite materials has a significant influence on the service performance of rotating parts, such as flywheel rotors and motor jackets. However, the deformation of the liners, the flow of resins, and the temperature variation during the winding process make it difficult to predict and control this residual stress. In this paper, the process-induced strains were monitored online by a strain gauge with the help of a wireless strain meter. The evolution of this strain during the manufacturing process was fully discussed. A rapid curing resin system was used and its curing properties were tested by differential scanning calorimetry. The mechanical properties of the resin matrix and its composite were characterized. The effect of the curing cycle on the evolution of the residual strain was discussed in detail through comparative experiments. The experimental results show that the use of infrared radiation has a significant advantage regarding residual stress accumulation. This advantage is greater when carbon fiber is used than when glass fiber is used. The prestress in composites of glass fiber and carbon fiber increases by 5.9% and 41.7%, respectively, after cooling.

Studies on mechanical, thermal and tribological properties of carbon fibre-reinforced boron nitride-filled epoxy composites

This research focuses on the static mechanical, thermal and tribological properties of carbon fibre epoxy (CF/Ep) composites filled with boron nitride (BN) micro-filler powder (BN-CF/Ep). The mechanical properties studied were tensile, flexural, interlaminar shear strength and hardness. The thermal properties studied were dynamic mechanical and thermogravimetric analyses which were analysed through dynamic mechanical analyser and thermogravimetric analyser, respectively. The curing ability and dispersion of BN filler in the Ep and composites were investigated through differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectra and scanning electron microscopy. The tribological properties focused were three-body abrasion and dry sliding friction and wear conduct. Three-body abrasion tests were studied with silica sand of 212 µm particle size, 30 N load, 2.38 m s−1 sliding velocity and variable abrasive distances of 250 m, 500 m, 750 m and 1000 m. The dry sliding wear tests were performed using pin-on-disc (POD) wear experimental set-up with 60 N load, 3 m s−1 sliding velocity and variable sliding distances of 1000 m, 2000 m and 3000 m. The results followed the trend of BN1% > BN3% > BN5% composites in all mechanical properties. The carbon fabric reinforcement along with the BN-Ep matrix improved enormously all the mechanical properties except impact resistance. Further, it was exhibited that 1 wt% BN into CF/Ep prompts better mechanical properties with predominant damping capacity and thermal stability. Both the dry sand abrasive wear and POD test outcomes revealed that all BN-CF/Ep composites prompt predominant wear resistance. CF along with BN improves enormously the wear resistance with friction coefficient. Further, it was exhibited that 1 wt% BN into CF/Ep in both three-body abrasive and POD tests prompts better wear resistance. Generally speaking, it was presumed that BN-CF/Ep gracefully and successfully improved the mechanical, thermal and tribological properties and morphology of Ep for various mechanical, electrical components and load-bearing applications used in automotive and engineered applications.

Preparation and properties of a novel fluorinated epoxy resin/DGEBA blend for application in electronic materials

A novel epoxy monomer 4-trifluoromethyl phenylhydroquinone epoxy resin (4-TFMEP) was synthesized via a multistep procedure including the Meerwein arylation reaction and followed by nucleophilic reaction. The chemical structure of 4-TFMEP was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier-transform infrared spectrum. Then a mixed system (DGEBA/4-TFMEP x%) composed of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and 4-TFMEP was prepared by a melting method without any solvent. After curing, the properties of this series of mixed epoxy resins were measured and compared with the neat DGEBA. As a result, the blend resins exhibited good thermal stability, excellent hydrophobic and low dielectric properties with 4-TFMEP content increasing. Furthermore, the material of DGEBA/4-TFMEP 40% achieves higher glass transition temperature of 104°C and char yield 33% than DGEBA (char yield = 22%) possessed. In the contact angle testing, DGEBA/4-TFMEP 40% shows 127.2° satisfied the standard of hydrophobic material. In addition, by the test of dielectric properties, DGEBA/4-TFMEP x% materials show lower than DGEBA/boron trifluoride ethylamine (BF3MEA) material, because of the introduced side group of fluorine content into the material improves the electronegativity of epoxy material and reduced the polarizability of molecules efficient. Herein, we believe the novel mixed epoxy system (DGEBA/4-TFMEP x%) has a potential application in electronic industries.

Study of the epoxy/amine equivalent ratio on thermal properties, cryogenic mechanical properties, and liquid oxygen compatibility of the bisphenol A epoxy resin containing phosphorus

A liquid oxygen-compatible epoxy resin is successfully prepared by changing the epoxy/amine equivalent ratio (SR) of a phosphorus-containing epoxy resin. The liquid oxygen impact test results showed that the modified resin was compatible with liquid oxygen only when the SR was 0.8. The mechanical properties at 90 K showed that the strain energy and impact toughness reached the maximum when the SR was 0.8, which suggested that the reduced rigidity might be beneficial to improve the liquid oxygen compatibility of the polymer. The thermomechanical and thermal results showed that the cross-linking density and thermal stability was proportional to SR. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed that the P=O group in the resin decomposed into phosphoric oxidative solids and P–N intermediates to inhibit the resin from decomposing and contacting with liquid oxygen during impact. Overall, this study provides a new idea for the design of liquid oxygen-compatible epoxy resin.

Effects of hygrothermal and thermal-oxidative ageing on the open-hole properties of T800/high-temperature epoxy resin composites with different hole shapes

T800/high-temperature epoxy resin composites with different hole shapes were subjected to hygrothermal ageing and thermal-oxidative ageing, and the effects of these different ageing methods on the open-hole properties of the composites were investigated, including analyses of the mass changes, surface topography changes (before and after ageing), fracture morphologies, open-hole compressive performance, dynamic mechanical properties and infrared spectrum. The results showed that only physical ageing occurred under hygrothermal ageing (70°C and 85% relative humidity), and the equilibrium moisture absorption rate was only approximately 0.72%. In contrast, under thermal-oxidative ageing at 190°C, both physical ageing and chemical ageing occurred. After ageing, the open-hole compressive strength of the composite laminates with different hole shapes decreased significantly, but the open-hole compressive strength after thermal-oxidative ageing was greater than that after hygrothermal ageing. Among the aged and unaged laminates, the laminates with round holes exhibited the largest open-hole compressive strength, followed by those with the elliptical holes, square holes and diamond holes. The failure modes of the laminates were all through-hole failures. The unaged samples had a glass transition temperature ( T g) of 226°C, whereas the T g of the samples after hygrothermal ageing was 208°C, which is 18°C less than that of the unaged samples, and the T g of the samples after thermal-oxidative ageing was 253°C, which is 27°C greater than that of the unaged samples.

Thermal stability and flame retardancy of an epoxy resin modified with phosphoric triamide and glycidyl POSS

Phosphoric triamide (PTA) and glycidyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) were simultaneously incorporated into the cured network of a bisphenol F epoxy resin and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM) to improve the thermal stability and flame retardancy. PTA was synthesized by triethyl phosphate and DDM, and its chemical structure was confirmed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) results showed that the introduction of PTA and POSS slightly increased the glass transition temperature of the epoxy resin. The thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that compared with the pure, phosphoric, and silicic epoxy resins, the modified epoxy resin possessed the lowest weight loss rate and highest char residue. Its limiting oxygen index value was as high as 30.5, and the UL-94 grade reached V-1. A decomposition test was carried out to obtain sufficient char residue and investigate the condensed mechanism. The scanning electron microscopic images demonstrated that the char residue of the modified epoxy resin had a compact structure. The energy dispersive X-ray and FTIR analyses verified the synergistic effect of the phosphorus and silicon in the PTA and POSS, respectively, on the epoxy resin.