Cure kinetics, morphological and dynamic mechanical analysis of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A epoxy resin modified with hydroxyl terminated poly(ether ether ketone) containing pendent tertiary butyl groups

Hydroxyl terminated poly(ether ether ketone) based on tert-butyl hydroquinone (PEEKTOH) was used to modify a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A epoxy resin. A diamine, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone was used as the curing agent. Isothermal differential scanning calorimetric measurements of the blends were carried out at 180, 165 and 150 °C. The extent of reaction was found to decrease with the addition of PEEKTOH. The phenomenological model developed by Kamal was used for kinetic analysis of curing reaction. The curing reaction followed autocatalytic mechanism regardless of the presence and amount of oligomer present in the epoxy resin. The experimental and theoretical reaction rates were in good agreement during the initial stages of the reaction. The experimental values were lower than theoretical rate during the final stages of reaction due to increase in the viscosity of the system. A semiemperical model was used to explain diffusion control during final stages of reaction. The cured blends exhibited two phase morphology at all the curing temperatures. A uniform particle size distribution was observed at all compositions. The domain size decreased slightly with increase in oligomer content and with decrease in curing temperature. Finally, the viscoelastic properties were analysed using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Two T_gs corresponding to epoxy rich and thermoplastic rich phases were evident from the dynamic mechanical spectrum.