Thermal,mechanical, and morphological properties of soybean oil-based polyurethane/epoxy resin interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs)

A series of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on epoxy (EP) resin and polyurethane (PU) prepolymer derived from soybean oil-based polyols with different mass ratios were synthesized. The structure, thermal properties, damping properties, tensile properties, and morphology of soybean oil-based PU/EP IPNs were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), universal test machine, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). DSC and DMA results show that the glass transition temperature of the soybean oil-based PU/EP IPN decreases with the increase of PU prepolymer contents. Soybean oil-based PU/EP IPNs have better damping properties than that of the pure epoxy resin. The tensile strength and modulus of PU/EP IPNs decrease, while elongation at break increases with the increase of PU prepolymer contents. SEM observations reveal that phase separation appears in PU/EP IPNs with higher PU prepolymer contents.     

Dielectric properties of self‐catalytic interpenetrating polymer network based on modified bismaleimide and cyanate ester resins

Bismaleimide (BMI) resins with good thermal stability, fire resistance, low water absorption, and good retention of mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, especially in hot/wet environments, have attracted more attention in the electronic and aerospace industries. However, their relatively high dielectric constant limits their application in the aforementioned fields. In this work, a new promising approach is presented that consists of the formation of a self‐catalytic thermoset/thermoset interpenetrating polymer network. Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on modified BMI resin (BMI/DBA) and cyanate ester (b10) were synthesized via prepolymerization followed by thermal curing. The self‐catalytic curing mechanism of BMI/DBA‐CE IPN resin systems was examined by differential scanning calorimetry. The dielectric properties of the cured BMI/DBA‐CE IPN resin systems were evaluated by a dielectric analyzer and shown in dielectric properties‐temperature‐log frequency three‐dimensional plots. The effect of temperature and frequency on the dielectric constant of the cured BMI/DBA‐CE IPN resin systems is discussed. The composition effect on the dielectric constant of the cured IPN resin systems was analyzed on the basis of Maxwell's equation and rule of mixture. The obtained BMI/DBA‐CE IPN resin systems have the combined advantages of low dielectric constant and loss, high‐temperature resistance, and good processability, which have many applications in the microelectronic and aerospace industries. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1123–1134, 2003     

STUDIES ON APPARENT KINETICS AND RHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF EPOXY/ACRYLATE IPNS AS VACUUM PRESSURE IMPREGNATION RESINS

The apparent kinetics and cure behavior of novel interpenetrating polymer networks(IPNs) based on cycloaliphatic epoxy resin(CER) and tri-functional acrylate have been investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR).The results of DSC measurements show that the curing reaction of the TMPTMA component is much earlier than that of the CER component,which can lead to the formation of the IPNs.In contrast to neat anhydride-CER system,the anhy...     

Interpenetrating polymer networks from polyurethanes and methacrylate polymers. I. Effect of molecular weight of polyols and NCO/OH ratio of urethane prepolymers on properties and morphology of IPNs

Two types of reinforced elastomeric interpentrating polymer network (IPN) were prepared by simultaneous polymerization and crosslinking in solution. The first type consisted of polyurethane-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PU/PMMA), and the second, of polyurethane-poly(methyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid) PU/P(MMA–MAA) of constant composition (90/10) and (80/20) by weight, respectively. The members of each type differed in the NCO/OH ratio of the PU prepolymer and the molecular weight (MW) of the polyol in the PU component because we wished to investigate systematically the effect of changing the NCO/OH ratio and MW of the polyol on the mechanical properties and morphology of the resulting IPNs. The mechanical properties, particularly the modulus of both tyes of IPN, increased with increasing NCO/OH ratio and decreased with increasing MW of the polyol in the PU. The morphology of the IPNs was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Improved phase compatibility and decreasing extent of phase separation was observed in both types of IPN with increasing NCO/OH ratio and decreasing MW of the polyol used in the PU. These results may imply that improved interpenetration results from increasing the NCO/OH ratio and decreasing the MW of the polyol in the PU component. The fact that the effect is more pronounced with the type of PU-P(MMA–MAA) IPN can be rationalized as due to the additional hydrogen bonding between the carbonyl in the carboxyl groups and the urethane or urea groups in the PU component.     

Influence of actinic wavelength on properties of light‐cured interpenetrating polymer networks

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) composed of different acrylate/epoxide ratios, were synthesized under UV and visible‐LED curing conditions. The formation of the IPNs was explored in terms of phase separation, polymerization mechanisms, final mechanical properties and surface morphology. For these purpose, we uniquely combined results of miscibility investigations, confocal Raman microscopy, dynamical mechanical analysis and atomic force microscopy. Transparent films were obtained for all compositions and both irradiation sources. The thermo‐mechanical properties of different IPNs were associated to the presence of acrylate‐ or epoxide‐rich phases, as well as, mixed interphases, resulting from the high interpenetration between both networks. Although the final conversions were similar under UV and visible‐LED irradiation, we have found evidence that the visible‐cured samples provide higher IPN homogeneity and lower T_g, for a higher epoxide content. To explain this trend, the mechanisms and sequence of the acrylate or epoxide networks formation, under UV or LED irradiation, is discussed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1378‐1390     

Synthesis of a new hyperbranched‐linear‐hyperbranched triblock copolymer and its use as a chemical modifier for the cationic photo and thermal curing of epoxy resins

A new hyperbranched‐linear‐hyperbranched polymer was prepared in a one pot process by reaction of 4,4‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)valeric acid and poly(ethylene glycol) (HPH). After characterization by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, SEC, DSC, and TGA, this polymer was used, in proportions of 5, 10, and 15 phr, as a chemical modifier in the UV and thermal cationic curing of 3,4‐epoxycyclohexylmethyl‐3′,4′‐epoxycyclohexyl carboxylate epoxy resin. The curing process was studied by calorimetry, demonstrating the accelerating effect of the hydroxyl groups present in HPH's structure. The morphology of the resulting thermosets depended on the curing system used, as demonstrated by FE‐SEM microscopy, but in both cases phase separation occurred. Thermosets obtained by thermal curing presented lower thermal stability than UV‐cured materials. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Interpenetrating polymer networks from the novel bismaleimide and cyanate containing naphthalene: Cure and thermal characteristics

The novel interpenetrating network bismaleimide-triazine polymers were derived from A bismaleimide, viz. 2,7-bis(4-maleimidophenoxy)naphthalene (BMPN), and a dicyanate ester, viz. 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene dicyanate (DNCY), possessing similar backbone structures. The cure process of the blends including of 0.11 mmol/mol Fe(AcAc)₃ and 2% nonyl phenol is characterized by DSC and in situ FTIR. The DSC curves show two-stages curing process for the mixture systems including of 0.11 mmol/mol Fe(AcAc)₃ and 2% nonyl phenol. In the in situ FTIR spectra of cured resin, the absorption peak of the CCH bending vibrations decreases continuously until the end of cure reaction after that of the OCN group disappears mostly. These illuminate that the structure of IPNs can be formed due to the respective polymerization of two monomers for mixtures. Interlaced patterns are seen obviously in the region by SEM for IPNs BT resins. Thermal stabilities of cured resins are characterized by TGA. The pure polyDNCY, polyBMPN and typical IPNs BT resins show good thermal stability.     

Thermal transitions of benzene in copolymers and interpenetrating polymer networks based on hydrophilic and hydrophobic components: Experimental evidence of hydrophobic interaction

Thermal transitions of benzene in a hydrophobic polymer network have been explained by us in terms of the phase diagram of the polymer‐solvent system. In this work, we executed a similar study on copolymers and interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) with controllable hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratios. Copolymers and IPNs were swollen with different amounts of benzene and subjected to cooling and heating scans with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Synthesis of the IPNs was carried out in such a way that phase separation appeared, and three qualitatively different types of DSC thermograms were identified depending on the benzene content of IPN. Thermal transitions of benzene in the hydrophilic/hydrophobic copolymers can also be explained as a consequence of the phase diagram of the system, but an increase in the glass‐transition temperature of the system can be correlated with the interactions among the hydrophilic groups of the copolymer. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1713–1721, 2003     

Two-component interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) from polyurethanes and epoxies. I. Studies on full IPN,pseudo-IPN,and graft polymer alloys of polyurethanes and epoxies

In this article we review the synthesis and morphology and the physical and mechanical properties of two-component interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) from polyurethane and epoxy polymers; the corresponding pseudo-IPNs and grafted IPNs are also discussed. A comparison was made of full IPNs, pseudo-IPNs, grafted IPNs, and related homopolymers by examining their mechanical properties, mechanical spectra, and electron microscopy on an investigation of the effects of interpenetration or permanent entanglement in the IPN and related systems. This interpenetration has resulted in improved compatibility between the two polymer systems and has caused a decrease in the degree of phase separation. An observed shift in the dynamic glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of the two components which yielded a single IPN T_g further substantiates our results.     

氯磺化聚乙烯/聚甲基丙烯酸丁酯/环氧树脂三组分IPNs的合成与表征

采用同步-分步结合的方法合成了氯磺化聚乙烯/聚甲基丙烯酸丁酯/环氧树脂(CSM/PB-MA/EP)三组分IPNs.先用同步法合成CSM/EP二组分IPNs作为骨架网络,再将PBMA溶胀进入骨架网络中.得到三组分IPNs.网络间经两次相互缠结贯穿后,比单独用同步法或分步法合成的IPNs对网络间束缚作用大,且骨架网络与PBMA组成比较接近时,相容性较好.TEM结果表明:用分步染色方法可以观察三相间的形态变化和相区尺寸的相对大小.     

Thermoplastic modification of monomeric and partially polymerized Bisphenol A dicyanate ester

Bisphenol A dicyanate ester (BADCy) was modified with different amounts of an engineering thermoplastic, polysulfone (PS) to improve impact strength of the parent resin. Differential scanning calorimetry of the blends suggested that addition of PS widens the curing exotherm of the BADCy considerably. FTIR of cured neat resins indicated total conversion of cyanate functional groups into triazine rings by cyclotrimerization. The cured neat resins showed phase separated morphology with cyanate ester as the continuous phase. The modified resins were shown to have better thermal, hygrothermal and impact strength properties. However, when glass fiber reinforced composites were made using partially polymerized BADCy and PS, very little or no phase separation in the resin was noticed. Flexural and impact strength measurement of composites showed that PS modification has compromised the flexural properties and only retained the impact strength of the parent resin containing composite. This study thus suggests that improvements realized in thermoplastic modification of monomeric BADCy are not directly transferable to composites using a partially prepolymerized BADCy.     

Benzoxazine-bismaleimide blends: Curing and thermal properties

A blend of bisphenol A based benzoxazine (Bz-A) and a bismaleimide (2,2-bis[4(4-maleimidophenoxy) phenyl] propane (BMI), was thermally polymerised in varying proportions and their cure and thermal characteristics were investigated. The differential scanning calorimetric analysis, supplemented by rheology confirmed a lowering of the cure temperature of BMI in the blend implying catalysis of the maleimide polymerisation by benzoxazine. FTIR studies provided evidences for the H-bonding between carbonyl group of BMI and -OH group of polybenzoxazine in the cured matrix. The cured matrix manifested a dual phase behaviour in SEM and DMTA with the minor phase constituted by polybenzoxazine dispersed in an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of polybenzoxazine and cured BMI. The IPN possessed improved thermal stability over the constituent polybenzoxazine. A benzoxazine monomer possessing allyl functional groups, 2,2′-bis(8-allyl-3-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,3-benzoxazinyl) propane (Bz-allyl) was reactively blended with the same bismaleimide in varying stoichiometric ratios (Bz-allyl/BMI), where the curing involved mainly Alder-ene reaction between allyl- and maleimides groups and ring-opening polymerisation of benzoxazine. The rheological analysis showed the absence of catalytic polymerisation of BMI in this case. The overall processing temperature was lowered in the blend owing to the co-reaction of the two systems to form a single-phase matrix. The cured resins of both Bz-A/BMI and Bz-allyl/BMI blends exhibited better thermal stability than the respective polybenzoxazines. The T_g of the IPN was significantly improved over that of polybenzoxazine (Bz-A). However, the co-reaction resulted in a marginal decrease in the T_g of the system in comparison to the polybenzoxazine (Bz-allyl).     

Hybrid UV-cured organic–inorganic IPNs

Hybrid organic–inorganic UV-cured coatings based on interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) were prepared starting by an equimolar methacrylate-epoxy UV-curable mixture (bisphenol-A-diglycidyl dimethacrylate/bisphenol-A-diglycidyl ether, abbreviated as BisGMA/BADGE), in the presence of tetrafunctional silane monomer tetrakis(methacryloyloxy-ethoxy)silane (TetMESi) as inorganic precursor. The photocuring kinetics of the BisGMA/BADGE IPN monomer mixture were strongly affected by the order of the cure of the individual components. Addition of TetMESi resulted in higher degrees of reaction. DMTA of the BisGMA/BADGE IPN suggest a two phase structure. The rubbery modulus of the hydrolysed BisGMA/BADGE/TetMESi systems increased as the level of TetMESi was raised in the formulation due primarily to the significant reinforcing effect of the nano-silica particles. TGA of the BisGMA/BADGE IPN showed three degradation stages with no residual char but the hydrolysed BisGMA/BADGE/TetMESi systems formed a carbonaceous silica char which increased in mass as the level of TetMESi was raised. The two phase morphology of the BisGMA/BADGE IPN was confirmed by FE-SEM analysis. For IPNs prepared with TetMESi, SiO₂ particles are evident in the FE-SEM image and have diameters in the nanometric size range.     

Structural changes in glassy polymers studied by thermal analysis and dynamic mechanical tests

Structural changes which take place in many amorphous polymers, when they are annealed at temperatures near the glass transition temperature, have important theoretical, physical, and mechanical consequences. In this paper the possible existence of some local ordering in highlycrosslinked epoxy resins is studied. Three kinds of tests—TMA, DSC, and dynamic experiments—are used for a type of epoxy resin, cured with six different amounts of curing agent. In order to study the effect of the thermal history on the behavior of the polymer at its transition region, as well as the morphology of the materials tested, three different thermal treatments have been followed. Interesting results were derived concerning the influence of these parameters to these parameters to the mechanical characterization of the polymer.     

咪唑固化不同类型环氧树脂的固化特征、固化动力学及其反应活性

以咪唑为固化剂,对缩水甘油醚型、缩水甘油酯型环氧树脂(简称链型环氧树脂)及脂环环氧树脂的固化特征、固化动力学及反应活性进行了研究.DSC实验结果表明,固化过程均分两阶段进行,链型环氧树脂固化反应表观活化能低于脂环环氧树脂.各树脂第一阶段的表观反应活化能均低于第二阶段活化能.当脂环环氧树脂中混入不同比例的链型环氧树脂后,固化反应速率均较脂环环氧树脂单独固化时快,当链型环氧树脂量大于50％时,更为明显.     

Cure behavior and thermal stability of an epoxy: new bismaleimide blends for composite matrices

A new bismaleimide (BMI) resin was synthesized to formulate epoxy(tetraglycidyl diaminodiphenyl methane; TGDDM) – bismaleimide thermoset blends for composite matrix applications. 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM) was used as an amine curing agent for the TGDDM. A Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to characterize the new BMI resin. Cure behavior of the epoxy–BMI blends was studied using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). DSC thermograms of the thermoset blends indicated two exothermic peaks. The glass transition temperature of the thermoset blends decreased with BMI content. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried out to investigate thermal degradation behavior of the cured epoxy–BMI thermoset blends. The new BMI resin reacted partially with the DDM and weak intercrosslinking polymer networks were formed during cure of the thermoset blends.     

Cure kinetics of liquid crystalline epoxy resins based on biphenyl mesogen

The cure kinetics of a biphenyl-based liquid crystalline (LC) epoxy resin (LCER) was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy. The effects of LC phase formation on the cure kinetics were investigated. Both a model-free isoconversional method and a model-fitting method were used to analyze the DSC data. Results from the isoconversional analysis were applied to develop tentative multi-step kinetic models describing the curing reaction. Kinetic analysis showed that compared to the resins cured in amorphous phase, LCERs exhibited higher values of reaction enthalpy and a complex dependence of activation energy on the degree of cure. The formation of the LC phase resulted in a decrease in activation energy, leading to higher degree of reaction.     

Miscibility and properties of polyurethane/benzyl starch semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks

We successfully prepared a series of transparent materials with semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs) from castor‐oil‐based polyurethane (PU) and benzyl starch (BS). The miscibility, morphology, and properties of the semi‐IPN films were investigated with attenuated total reflection/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, electron spin resonance (ESR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and tensile testing. The results revealed that the semi‐IPN films had good or certain miscibility with BS concentrations of 5–70 wt % because of the strong intermolecular interactions between PU and BS. With an increase in the concentration of BS, the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the semi‐IPN materials increased. The ESR data confirmed that the segment volume of PU in the semi‐IPNs increased with the addition of BS; that is, the chain stiffness increased as a result of strong interactions between PU and BS macromolecules. It was concluded that starch derivatives containing benzyl groups in the side chains more easily penetrated the PU networks to form semi‐IPNs than those containing aliphatic groups, and this led to improved properties. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 603–615, 2005     

Phase separation,porous structure,and cure kinetics in aliphatic epoxy resin containing hyperbranched polyester

Thermosetting blends of an aliphatic epoxy resin and a hydroxyl‐functionalized hyperbranched polymer (HBP), aliphatic hyperbranched polyester Boltorn H40, were prepared using 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) as the curing agent. The phase behavior and morphology of the DDM‐cured epoxy/HBP blends with HBP content up to 40 wt % were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cured epoxy/HBP blends are immiscible and exhibit two separate glass transitions, as revealed by DMA. The SEM observation showed that there exist two phases in the cured blends, which is an epoxy‐rich phase and an HBP‐rich phase, which is responsible for the two separate glass transitions. The phase morphology was observed to be dependent on the blend composition. For the blends with HBP content up to 10 wt %, discrete HBP domains are dispersed in the continuous cured epoxy matrix, whereas the cured blend with 40 wt % HBP exhibits a combined morphology of connected globules and bicontinuous phase structure. Porous epoxy thermosets with continuous open structures on the order of 100–300 nm were formed after the HBP‐rich phase was extracted with solvent from the cured blend with 40 wt % HBP. The DSC study showed that the curing rate is not obviously affected in the epoxy/HBP blends with HBP content up to 40 wt %. The activation energy values obtained are not remarkably changed in the blends; the addition of HBP to epoxy resin thus does not change the mechanism of cure reaction of epoxy resin with DDM. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 889–899, 2006     

Thermal and surface study of phenolic resin from cashew nut shell liquid cured by plasma treatment

In this study, phenolic resins from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) were applied as coating on Carbon Steel 1020 samples and successfully cured by plasma treatment or with hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA). The crosslinked samples were characterized by thermal analysis using thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques in order to evaluate the thermal stability of these samples, as well as understand and study the curing process. TG/DTG curves showed that the thermal stability of the HMTA-cured resin was slightly higher than the resin treated by plasma. According to the DSC curves, HMTA-cured resin and plasma-treated resin exhibited only transition temperatures, so both resins were predominantly amorphous. Images generated by AFM provided qualitative evaluation of the resin surfaces, demonstrating that the coating surface with best homogeneity was cured by plasma treatment.