Thermal degradation of epoxy resin reinforced with polypropylene fibers

The influence of polypropylene fibers on the thermal degradation of epoxy composites was investigated with thermogravimetric analysis. Three composites with 5, 10, or 15 wt % polypropylene fibers were prepared with epoxy as a matrix material. The polypropylene fibers, used as reinforcing materials, retarded the thermal decomposition, and increasing the weight percentage of the fiber material increased the thermal stability to a certain extent. Of the three composites, the 10 wt % polypropylene fiber/epoxy resin composite showed very good thermal stability, which was indicated by the increase in the resin decomposition temperature from 280°C for the 5 wt % polypropylene fiber/epoxy resin composite to 375°C for the 10 wt % polypropylene fiber/epoxy resin composite. The Horowitz–Metzger method was used to calculate the activation energies, and the results were tabulated. A morphological analysis was carried out with scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the dispersion of the fibers in the epoxy matrix. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 500–503, 2007     

Effect of reinforcement of sustainable β‐CaSiO3 nanoparticles in bio‐based epoxy resin system

The β‐CaSiO₃ nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using calcium carbonate from egg shells and silica as precursors. These NPs were incorporated (1–4 wt %) into bio‐based epoxy resin to fabricate nanocomposites. Thermal and mechanical tests were carried out on these composites. The results of dynamic mechanical analysis showed significant improvement in the storage modulus of 1 and 2 wt % composites. The thermomechanical analysis data revealed ～19 and 20% of reduction in coefficient of thermal expansion for 1 wt % of CaSiO₃ before and after glass transition as compared to the neat epoxy system. Thermogravimetric analysis results also showed delayed thermal degradation of the composites by significant amounts (17–35°C) for 5% of decomposition, a proportional increase in residues corresponding to the loading concentrations. The flexure tests showed significant improvements in strength (17–36%), modulus (5–33%), and toughness for 1–4 wt % of reinforcement of β‐CaSiO₃ NPs. Theoretical calculations of the reinforcement effect on the flexure modulus of the composites agree well with the experimental values. The scanning electron micrograph of the fractured surfaces revealed better interfacial interactions in the composites and enhancements in crack path deflections over the neat specimen. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40867.     

Recycling studies of marble processing waste: Composites based on commercial epoxy resin

Marble waste was obtained from marble processing plant wastewater with precipitation using different coagulants, such as sepiolite, zeolite, and pumice in dosages of 0.5–8 g/500 mL and mixed in 20 wt % with commercial epoxy resin. The effects of marble, coagulant type and dosage on the physicomechanical and thermal properties were investigated. The incorporation of marble processing waste particles increases the 10% decomposition temperature of pure epoxy by 5–50°C. Surface hardness, tensile strength, percentage elongation, and stress at maximum load of the composites were higher than those of pure resin, too. The composites reinforced with marble processing waste-pumice showed about 10% increase in elastic modulus, whereas the composite reinforced with marble processing waste-sepiolite or zeolite showed about 76.67–143.33% increase in elastic modulus over the pure epoxy matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for characterization of surface and cross sections of the composites to verify the results. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

环氧树脂/棕榈酰氯改性玉米秸秆复合材料力学性能研究

以棕榈酰氯改性的玉米秸秆作为填料,将环氧树脂（EP）作为基体树脂,制备环氧树脂/改性玉米秸秆生物质复合材料。利用红外光谱和X射线光电子能谱对改性前后的秸秆进行结构表征,采用电子万能试验机对复合材料进行力学性能分析,利用扫描电子显微镜对复合材料的微观形貌进行分析。结果表明,红外谱图中在1 754 cm^-1处有新的C=O特征伸缩振动峰出现;X射线光电子能谱图中C1（C=C、C—C）、C2（C—O）含量分别从47.85 %和40.24 %下降到41.30 %和30.64 %,C3（C=O）、C4（C—O—C）含量分别从9.12 %和2.79 %增加到20.56 %和7.20 %,说明改性后玉米秸秆疏水性增强,与EP的相容性得到改善;随着玉米秸秆含量的增加,EP复合材料的拉伸性能与纯EP比增加了100.3 %和157.77 %;弯曲强度呈现出先增加后下降的趋势;未改性秸秆添加量达到10 %时,冲击强度最大比纯EP提高了16.8 %,而改性后秸秆的含量达到15 %时,比纯EP提高了70.53 %。     

Preparation and properties of bio‐based epoxy montomorillonite nanocomposites derived from polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether and ε‐polylysine

Glycerol polyglycidyl ether (GPE) and polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether (PGPE) were cured with ε‐poly(L ‐lysine) (PL) using epoxy/amine ratios of 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 to create bio‐based epoxy cross‐linked resins. When PGPE was used as an epoxy resin and the epoxy/amine ratio was 1 : 1, the cured neat resin showed the greatest glass transition temperature (T_g), as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Next, the mixture of PGPE, PL, and montomorillonite (MMT) at an epoxy/amine ratio of 1 : 1 in water was dried and cured finally at 110°C to create PGPE‐PL/MMT composites. The X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements revealed that the composites with MMT content 7–15 wt % were exfoliated nanocomposites and the composite with MMT content 20 wt % was an intercalated nanocomposite. The T_g and storage modulus at 50–100°C for the PGPE‐PL/MMT composites measured by DMA increased with increasing MMT content until 15 wt % and decreased at 20 wt %. The tensile strength and modulus of the PGPE‐PL/MMT composites (MMT content 15 wt %: 42 and 5300 MPa) were much greater than those of the cured PGPE‐PL resin (4 and 6 MPa). Aerobic biodegradability of the PGPE‐PL in an aqueous medium was ～ 4% after 90 days, and the PGPE‐PL/MMT nanocomposites with MMT content 7–15 wt % showed lower biodegradability. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Study on the mechanical properties and microstructure of high-performance carbon fiber/epoxy composites

A high-toughness epoxy has been prepared using carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile (CTBN) as a toughening agent to modify the AG-80 epoxy resin. High-performance carbon fiber/epoxy (CF/EP) composites are fabricated using the CTBN-toughened epoxy resin as the matrix and two types of CF, namely, T800SC and T800HB, as reinforcement. The mechanical properties of the matrix, surface properties of the CFs, tensile properties, and fracture morphologies of the composites are systematically investigated to elucidate the key factors influencing interfacial bonding in high-performance CF/EP composites. The results reveal that the most significant improvement in toughness is achieved when the CTBN content is 6.90 wt.% in the epoxy resin. Owing to the high content of polar functional groups and excellent surface wettability of T800SC, the T800SC/EP composite exhibits superior mechanical properties compared with the T800HB/EP composite.     

Application of Romero García method to the degradation process of DGEBA/ETDA filled with ultra fine metallic copper

Summary The thermal properties of an epoxy resin (diglycidyl ether Bisphenol A, DGEBA) cured with a primary amine (ethylenediamine, ETDA) and filled with 10, 20 and 30 wt. % of ultra fine copper particles were analyzed. The thermal results were evaluated by means of the Romero-Garcia method, which allowed to obtain the resin degradation kinetic parameters, as well as the possible decomposition mechanism. From the obtained results is possible to infer that higger copper content strongly affects the degradation process of the epoxy resin, which causes a drop off on the composites thermal stability. This behavior could be attributed to water presence, being this effect less pronounced for the resin with 10 wt. % copper and unfilled resin. Regarding to decomposition mechanism, three way transport showed the best correlation for all samples.     

High thermal conductive m‐xylylenediamine functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes/epoxy resin composites

In this study, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) functionalized by m‐xylylenediamine is used as thermal conductive fillers to improve their dispersibility in epoxy resin and the thermal conductivity of the MWNTs/bisphenol‐A glycidol ether epoxy resin composites. Functionalization with amine groups of MWNTs is achieved after such steps as carboxylation, acylation and amidation. The thermal conductivity, impact strength, flexural strength, and fracture surfaces of MWNTs/epoxy composites are investigated with different MWNTs. The results show that m‐xylylenediamine is successfully grafted onto the surface of the MWNTs and the mass fraction of the organic molecules grafted onto MWNTs is about 20 wt %. The thermal conductivity of MWNTs/epoxy composites is further enhanced to 1.236 W/mK with 2 wt % m‐MWNTs. When the content of m‐MWNTs is 1.5 wt %, the impact strength and flexural strength of the composites are 25.85 KJ/m², 128.1 MPa, respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results show that the fracture pattern of composites is changed from brittle fracture to ductile fracture. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41255.     

Preparation of epoxy resin using n-hexadecane based shape stabilized PCM for applying wood-based flooring

Epoxy resin has excellent characteristics of moisture, low toughness, solvent and chemical resistance, low shrinkage on cure, superior electrical and mechanical resistance properties, and good adhesion to many substrates. In this experiment, we prepared epoxy resin with shape stabilized phase change material (SSPCM) to enhance the thermal properties of epoxy resin. The SSPCM was prepared through the vacuum impregnation method, and the SSPCM/epoxy resin composites were prepared through the shear stirring process and curing process. In the preparation process, the epoxy resin and hardener were mixed in a beaker at a one-to-one ratio. Then, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.% of the SSPCM was added to the mixture. The thermal properties and chemical properties of epoxy resin with SSPCM were analyzed from scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, and universal testing machine analyzer. From the analysis, we determined that the prepared epoxy resin with SSPCM has heat storage capacity and high thermal conductivity, compared with the epoxy resin.     

Epoxy/POSS organic–inorganic hybrids: Viscoelastic,mechanical properties and micromorphologies

A series of epoxy resin (EP)/octa(aminpropyl)silsesquioxane (POSS‐NH₂) organic–inorganic hybrid composites (EP/POSS‐NH₂ 100/0, 95/5, 90/10, and 80/20 wt/wt) were prepared by melt casting and then curing. Viscoelastic and mechanical properties of these composites were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis and mechanical testing, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study of the micromorphologies of the composites and to elucidate the toughening mechanisms of POSS‐NH₂. POSS units incorporated into the epoxy network showed good compatibility with the resin matrix. Phase separation was not observed even at high POSS content (20 wt%). Incorporation of POSS macromer into the epoxy network after curing increased the glass transition temperature, slightly narrowed the temperature range widths of the glass transition, and lowered the intensities of their loss moduli peaks of the resultant composites. The glass transition temperature of EP/POSS‐NH₂ composites increased significantly with increasing POSS content at lower POSS content (<10 wt%), while increased slightly at higher POSS content. Both impact and flexural strengths of the hybrids reached their optimum values when 10 wt% content of POSS was introduced. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:175–179, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

五氧化二磷改性水性环氧树脂的合成及性能

为获得具有良好表面活性的水性环氧树脂,采用五氧化二磷为磷酸化试剂对环氧树脂进行改性,并对此磷酸化工艺过程进行优化。从反应投料比、时间、温度等主要因素考察了反应条件对产物环氧值和单双酯含量的影响,确定了较佳的反应条件：反应投料摩尔比n（E20）∶n（P2O5）=1.2∶1,反应时间为3 h,反应温度为85 ℃。此工艺条件下制备产物的环氧值为0.057 mol/100 g,单酯含量为0.44 %,双酯含量为0.56 %。使用红外光谱仪、核磁共振谱仪对改性环氧树脂的结构进行了表征,并对其热稳定性、乳液的黏温、黏浓特性、粒径及表面活性进行了测试。结果表明,改性后样品的分子结构中有部分环氧键断裂,同时有磷酸单双酯官能团的出现,说明合成了新的产物;改性环氧树脂的热稳定性较好;乳液的平均粒径较小;乳液质量分数低于10 %时,其黏度几乎不受质量分数的影响,具有较好的表面活性;乳液质量分数为0.5 %时,乳液的表面张力最小。     

Effect of ultrasound on wettability between aramid fibers and epoxy resin

Good wetting of reinforced fiber by resin was a main factor in the improvement of the interface adhesion of their composites. Ultrasound with a frequency of 20 kHz was used to improve the wettability between aramid fibers and epoxy resin during the winding process of the composites. The effects of ultrasound on the viscosity and surface tension of epoxy resin and on the surface characteristics of aramid fibers were investigated. The wettability of aramid fibers and treated epoxy resin under different conditions and of aramid fibers and epoxy resin under ultrasonic online treatment were compared. The results indicated that the main action of ultrasound was to force epoxy resin to impregnate aramid fibers, in addition to the influence of ultrasound on the properties of epoxy resin and aramid fibers. The results of microdebond testing showed that the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of aramid/epoxy composites could be 26% higher than that of untreated composites because of the improved wettability between aramid fibers and epoxy resin subjected to ultrasonic online treatment. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

Preparation,morphology, and properties of silane‐modified MWCNT/epoxy composites

Both epoxy resin and acid‐modified multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) were treated with 3‐isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (IPTES). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electronic microscope (TEM) images of the MWCNT/epoxy composites have been investigated. Tensile strength of cured silane‐modified MWCNT (1.0 wt %)/epoxy composites increased 41% comparing to the neat epoxy. Young's modulus of cured silane‐modified MWCNT (0.8 wt %)/epoxy composites increased 52%. Flexural strength of cured silane‐modified MWCNT (1.0 wt %)/epoxy composites increased 145% comparing to neat epoxy. Flexural modulus of cured silane‐modified MWCNT (0.8 wt %)/epoxy composites increased 31%. Surface and volume electrical resistance of MWCNT/epoxy composites were decreased with IPTES‐MWCNT content by 2 orders and 6 orders of magnitude, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Epoxy hybrid composites cured with octaaminophenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-containing hybrids of epoxy resins are prepared via the cocuring reaction between octaaminophenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OAPS) and brominated epoxy resin (EP). The gel time, dispersion, thermal properties, mechanical properties, water absorption, and dielectric properties of the OAPS/EP composites are studied. The gel time of the 1 wt % OAPS composites is significantly higher compared with that of the epoxy resin control. Wide angle X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy show that, at the molecular level, the appropriate amount of POSS cages was dispersed in the epoxy matrix because the POSS monomer participated in the crosslinking reaction. The thermal and mechanical properties of the composites are enhanced as 1 wt % OAPS was added to the epoxy system. The water absorption of the 1 wt % OAPS composite significantly declines. The dielectric constant of the 1 wt % OAPS composite is 0.5 less than that of the epoxy resin control in the range of 100 Hz–40 MHz. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

机织/针织混合铺层对复合材料力学性能的影响

为使纺织复合材料同时具有机织结构复合材料和针织结构复合材料的综合力学性能,通过混合铺层方式制备机织/针织混合结构复合材料。以芳纶机织平纹织物和针织罗纹织物为增强体,以环氧树脂为基体,调整复合材料中增强体的铺层顺序,利用真空辅助成型技术制备四层层压机织/针织混合结构复合材料。通过对复合材料拉伸性能、弯曲性能和冲击性能的测试,分析混合铺层和铺层顺序对芳纶环氧树脂复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明,混合铺层和铺层顺序对芳纶环氧树脂复合材料的弯曲强度和冲击强度有较大影响,特别是对罗纹结构复合材料纬向弯曲强度和冲击强度的改善。当采用相同铺层方式,罗纹织物为受力面时,机织/针织混合结构复合材料具有较大弯曲强度和冲击强度。     

Mechanical properties of graphene nanoplatelet/epoxy composites

Because of their high‐specific stiffness, carbon‐filled epoxy composites can be used in structural components in fixed‐wing aircraft. Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) are short stacks of individual layers of graphite that are a newly developed, lower cost material that often increases the composite tensile modulus. In this work, researchers fabricated neat epoxy (EPON 862 with Curing Agent W) and 1–6 wt % GNP in epoxy composites. The cure cycle used for this aerospace epoxy resin was 2 h at 121°C followed by 2 h at 177°C. These materials were tested for tensile properties using typical macroscopic measurements. Nanoindentation was also used to determine modulus and creep compliance. These macroscopic results showed that the tensile modulus increased from 2.72 GPa for the neat epoxy to 3.36 GPa for 6 wt % (3.7 vol %) GNP in epoxy composite. The modulus results from nanoindentation followed this same trend. For loadings from 10 to 45 mN, the creep compliance for the neat epoxy and GNP/epoxy composites was similar. The GNP aspect ratio in the composite samples was confirmed to be similar to that of the as‐received material by using the percolation threshold measured from electrical resistivity measurements. Using this GNP aspect ratio, the two‐dimensional randomly oriented filler Halpin–Tsai model adjusted for platelet filler shape predicts the tensile modulus well for the GNP/epoxy composites. Per the authors' knowledge, mechanical properties and modeling for this GNP/epoxy system have never been reported in the open literature. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Preparation and thermal,electrical, and morphological properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubeand epoxy composites

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/epoxy composites are prepared, and the characteristics and morphological properties are studied. Scanning electron microscopy microphotographs show that MWCNTs are dispersed on the nanoscale in the epoxy resin. The glass‐transition temperature (T_g) of MWCNT/epoxy composites is dramatically increased with the addition of 0.5 wt % MWCNT. The T_g increases from 167°C for neat epoxy to 189°C for 0.5 wt % CNT/epoxy. The surface resistivity and bulk resistivity are decreased when MWCNT is added to the epoxy resins. The surface resistivity of CNT/epoxy composites decreases from 4.92 × 10¹² Ω for neat epoxy to 3.03 × 10⁹ Ω for 1 wt % MWCNT/epoxy. The bulk resistivity decreases from 8.21 × 10¹⁶ Ω cm for neat epoxy to 6.72 × 10⁸ Ω cm for 1 wt % MWCNT/epoxy. The dielectric constant increases from 3.5 for neat epoxy to 5.5 for 1 wt % MWCNT/epoxy. However, the coefficient of thermal expansion is not affected when the MWCNT content is less than 0.5 wt %. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1272–1278, 2007     

Unsaturated polyester‐toughened epoxy composites: Effect of sisal fiber on thermal and dynamic mechanical properties

In the present study, the mechanical and thermal properties of sisal fiber‐reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP)‐toughened epoxy composites were investigated. The sisal fibers were chemically treated with alkali (NaOH) and silane solutions in order to improve the interfacial interaction between fibers and matrix. The chemical composition of resins and fibers was identified by using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The UP‐toughened epoxy blends were obtained by mixing UP (5, 10, and 15 wt%) into the epoxy resin. The fiber‐reinforced composites were prepared by incorporating sisal fibers (10, 20, and 30 wt%) within the optimized UP‐toughened epoxy blend. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the morphological changes of the fibers and the adhesion between the fibers and the UP‐toughened epoxy system. The results showed that the tensile and flexural strength of (alkali‐silane)‐treated fiber (30 wt%) ‐reinforced composites increased by 83% and 55%, respectively, as compared with that of UP‐toughened epoxy blend. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the (alkali‐silane)‐treated fiber and its composite exhibited higher thermal stability than the untreated and alkali‐treated fiber systems. An increase in storage modulus and glass transition temperature was observed for the UP‐toughened epoxy matrix on reinforcement with treated fibers. The water uptake behavior of both alkali and alkali‐silane‐treated fiber‐reinforced composites is found to be less as compared with the untreated fiber‐reinforced composite. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 23:188–199, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

RTM制备玻璃纤维增强环氧树脂复合材料的力学性能分析

以环氧树脂为基体,短切玻璃纤维和玻璃纤维布为增强材料,通过RTM工艺制备了玻璃纤维增强环氧树脂(GF/EP)复合材料,并研究了RTM工艺制备玻璃纤维布增强环氧树脂(L-GF/EP)和短切玻璃纤维增强环氧树脂(S-GF/EP)复合材料的拉伸和弯曲性能,分析了开孔对两种复合材料拉伸性能的影响。结果表明:在拉伸过程中,开孔试样因孔边产生的应力集中,导致其拉伸强度与无孔试样相比下降了30%左右;玻纤铺层类型的不同对复合材料的力学性能具有显著影响;L-GF/EP复合材料内部结构完整,在载荷作用下,复合材料的弯曲断裂呈现一定的假塑性断裂模式,达到弯曲极限挠度值后,出现一定程度的回弹现象,其力学性能优于S-GF/EP复合材料。     

用液态含羧基丙烯酸酯低聚物改性环氧树脂

采用溶液聚合法合成了以丙烯酸丁酯、丙烯腈为主链结构的液态含羧基丙烯酸酯低聚物,用其对环氧树脂进行增韧改性,讨论了丙烯腈、丙烯酸以及丙烯酸酯低聚物质量分数对改性环氧树脂力学性能的影响,并研究了改性环氧树脂的微观形态和动态力学性能。结果表明,丙烯酸酯低聚物质量分数为5％时,丙烯酸丁酯／丙烯腈／丙烯酸（质量比）为75／20／5的改性环氧树脂的拉伸强度比纯环氧树脂提高4．3％;丙烯酸酯低聚物质量分数为10％时,该改性环氧树脂的冲击强度比纯环氧树脂提高近4倍,同时体系的耐热性能保持不变;环氧树脂改性体系呈两相结构,丙烯酸酯低聚物质量分数达到30％时,对环氧树脂的增韧效果变差;随着丙烯酸酯低聚物质量分数的增加,改性环氧树脂的玻璃化转变温度先升高后降低,其质量分数不超过10％时,改性环氧树脂的玻璃化转变温度高于纯环氧树脂。