Thermoplastic and thermoset main chain liquid crystal polymers prepared from biphenyl mesogen

Main chain liquid crystal thermoplastic polyesters and thermosetting epoxy resins were prepared using biphenyl mesogens. The melting points of the polyesters were effectively decreased by incorporating flexible methylene spacers into the polymer main chain. The liquid crystal epoxy resins exhibit high glass transition temperature, low thermal expansion coefficients, high dielectric strengths, and low dielectric loss. They are suitable for the preparation of self-reinforcing molecular composites. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Surface treatment of Basalt fiber for use in automotive composites

Balancing the performance, durability and safety requirements of automotive systems with the regulatory landscape in an environment of climate change has accelerated the search for sustainable fiber reinforced polymer composites for automobile structures. Glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer composites (GFRP) are widely used in certain structures like front end modules and liftgate; However, they cannot be used in more demanding applications due to their low mechanical properties. Carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer composites (CFRP) are promising candidates for applications like bonnet, but their use is constrained by cost. Basalt fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer composites (BFRP) are sustainable materials that can be positioned between GFRP and CFRP in terms of performance and cost-effectiveness. The mechanical performance of the BFRP depend on the quality of the fiber-matrix interface that aids in efficient load transfer from the matrix to the fiber. Typically, basalt fibers are inert in nature and need treatments to improve its adhesion to polymeric matrices. The major chemical treatments that are reviewed in this article include matrix functionalization, silane treatment, functionalized nanomaterial coating and plasma polymerization. The physical treatments reviewed include plasma treatment and milling. It is evident that chemically treating the basalt fiber with a functionalized nanomaterial yields BFRP with a good stiffness – toughness balance that can be used for challenging metal replacements as also in new emerging areas like sensing and 3D printing.     

环氧树脂在热塑性树脂改性中的应用

本文综述了国内外有关利用环氧树脂改性热塑性树脂共混体系研究的最新进展。着重阐述了环氧树脂在热塑性树脂之间的增容作用,如尼龙6(PA6)合金体系,改性聚苯乙烯塑料(ABS)合金体系,以及聚对苯二甲酸丙二醇酯(PTT)合金体系等。同时,介绍了利用环氧树脂的反应活性提高无机填料在聚合物中分散性研究的情况,如二氧化硅纳米粒子在聚醚砜(PES)中,以及滑石粉在聚丙烯(PP)中分散性的提高。最后,简介了环氧树脂改性热塑性树脂提高热塑性树脂物理机械性能方面的研究方向和成果并展望了环氧树脂在热塑性树脂改性研究中的前景。     

Acid treatment for functionalizing polyethylene fiber surfaces for enhanced adhesion to epoxy resins

The utility of high-strength, high-modulus polyethylene fibers in fiber-reinforced composites is limited due to its poor interfacial adhesion to various polymeric matrices. One way to overcome this limitation is to introduce reactive functionalities on the fiber surface capable of covalently bonding to matrix resins. Ultra high-strength polyethylene (UHSPE) fibers were treated with chlorosulfonic acid. The surface acid groups were found to considerably improve the interfacial adhesion between polyethylene fibers and epoxy resins as shown by the microbond test. These surface functionalities were found to improve the fiber wettability, as shown by contact angle measurements using the Wilhelmy balance method. Colorimetric measurements of methylene blue absorption were used to quantify the surface concentrations of the acid groups. It was possible to functionalize the UHSPE fiber surfaces using this method to obtain fibers that formed a stronger adhesive bond with epoxy resins; this was achievable without sacrificing other fiber mechanical properties.     

Morphology and interphase formation in epoxy/PMMA/glass fiber composites: effect of the molecular weight of the PMMA

In this work ternary composites based on an epoxy thermoset modified with a thermoplastic polymer and reinforced with glass fibers were prepared. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of the molecular weight of the thermoplastic polymer on the final morphologies. To obtain tailor made interphases four poly(methylmethacrylate), PMMA, which differ in their molecular weight (34,000, 65,000, 76,000 and 360,000 g/mol) were chosen to modify the epoxy resin. The amount of PMMA in the composites was fixed to 5 wt.%. Neat polymer matrices (epoxy-PMMA without fibers) were also prepared for comparison. To study all systems dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used. Although all the systems showed the typical phase separation in the epoxy/PMMA blend, DMA experiments revealed a new phase with more restricted mobility when the glass fibers are present. The amount of this phase increases as molecular weight of PMMA does. The morphologies as well as the fracture surface in the immediate surroundings of the fibers were found to be different from those observed further away from the surface of the fiber, suggesting therefore that, in this case, different fracture mechanism operates. These observations allow us to conclude that an interphase with specific properties is formed. This interphase is based on a polymer or a polymer blend (epoxy-PMMA) enriched in the component with lower mobility.     

Interfacial and wetting properties of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites with different hardeners by electrical resistance measurement

In this research, interfacial and wetting properties of N,N,N,N-tetraglycidyl-4,4-diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM) epoxy resin with two hardeners with different chemical structure were evaluated by electrical resistance (ER) measurement. The heat of reaction of TGDDM epoxy with the two different hardeners, 33 and 44 di-amino di-phenyl sulphone (DDS), was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The TGDDM epoxy exhibited different mechanical properties with the two different DDS hardeners. Combined ER, wetting measurements and the microdroplet test were used for evaluating the spreading effect and interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of carbon fiber (CF) reinforced TGDDM epoxy composites with these different hardeners. The heat of reaction and mechanical properties of TGDDM/DDS were influenced by the chemical structure and different free volumes of the epoxy resins. The relationships between the ER-wetting results and the IFSS were internally consistent. Ultimately it was demonstrated that ER measurements makes it possible to estimate the interfacial and wetting properties of CF reinforced epoxy composites.     

高性能可回收环氧树脂及其复合材料的制备与性能研究

采用戊二酸酐为固化剂,乙酰丙酮锌为催化剂制备了一种综合性能优异的高性能可回收环氧树脂.系统研究了固化剂及催化剂含量对树脂结构、热学及动态性能的影响,实现了树脂组成的优化设计.基于酯交换反应的热可逆性,制备的vitrimer树脂通过物理热压方法可实现良好回收,力学强度保持率可达80%.采用RTM工艺制备的碳纤维织物增强vitrimer树脂复合材料表现出与传统热固性树脂基复合材料相当的力学性能,并且通过醇类溶剂热降解树脂的方法,可实现复合材料中碳纤维的高效无损回收,回收率近100%.     

Interacting blends of Styrenated unsaturated poly (ester–amide)s with commercial unsaturated polyester resin (o-phthalic anhydride based)

Unsaturated poly (ester–amide)s resins (UPEAs) were prepared by the reaction between an epoxy resin, namely diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) and unsaturated aliphatic bisamic acids (B_1–4) using a base catalyst. These UPEAs were then diluted by styrene and blended with commercial unsaturated polyester resin (o-phthalic anhydride based) to produce a homogeneous resin. The curing of these Styrenated UPEAs–UPR blends was carried out using Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as a catalyst and N,N′-Dimethyl aniline (DMA) as a promoter. The glass fiber reinforced composites (i.e. laminates) of these Styrenated UPEAs–UPR (o-phthalic anhydride based) blends were fabricated. The mechanical and chemical resistance properties of the glass fiber composites have also been evaluated. The unreinforced cured samples of the Styrenated UPEAs–UPR (o-phthalic anhydride based) blends were also analyzed by thermogravimetry (TGA).     

Graphene oxide/epoxy composites with enhanced fracture toughness for liquid hydrogen storage

Graphene oxide (GO)/epoxy composites cured by aliphatic dibasic acids have been prepared. The influences of structure of aliphatic dibasic acid and loading of GO on curing process and mechanical properties of epoxy composites were studied. The results show that the reaction activities, gel time of corresponding epoxy-acid system and tensile strength of the formed epoxy resins decrease with the increase of the chain length of aliphatic dibasic acids. Both fracture toughness (>1.96 MPa⋅m^1/2) and elongations at break (>6%) increase with the increase of the chain length of aliphatic dibasic acids. The introduction of GO is helpful to increase the mechanical properties and the gas transmission coefficient of GO/epoxy composites. A maximum of tensile strength and elongations at break were obtained when the loading of GO is 0.6 wt%. The gas transmission coefficient of GO/epoxy composite increases with the increase of GO loading. The excellent mechanical properties and gas leakage resistance coefficient of the formed epoxy composites provides potential application in many fields where conventional brittle epoxy resins are inapplicable.     

The dynamic mechanical behavior of random-in-plane short fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites

In the present paper, the dynamic mechanical properties of random-in-plane short fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites were studied by using a rheometrics solids analyzer. The three-point bend testing of the four composites (glass fiber/913 epoxy resin, glass fiber/924 epoxy resin, carbon fiber/913 epoxy resin and carbon fiber/924 epoxy resin) was carried out over temperatures from −100°C to 200°C at a frequency of 10 Hz and strain 0.05%. The composites based on 924 epoxy resin, which has been designed specially for high temperature applications, have less energy loss than the 913 epoxy resinbased composites. For the same resin, the carbon fiber-reinforced composites have less energy loss than the glass fiber-reinforced composites. All the composites have less energy loss than their corresponding matrices; the greater the fiber content, the lower the energy loss. The beta transition of 913 epoxy resin has been shifted to a higher temperature after being reinforced. It was shifted from −50°C to −30°C after being reinforced with glass fiber and made a diffuse shoulder-like peak commencing at −30°C after being reinforced with carbon fiber. The 924 epoxy resin has undergone the same change in beta transition as the 913 resin, though to a smaller extent. The phenomenon suggested that interactions between the macromolecules of the epoxy resins and the molecules along the fiber's surface.     

Preparation of Oxidized Organosolv Lignin⁃based Hydrophilic Sizing Agent and Its Application in Polypropylene北大核心CSCD

The interfacial compatibility of carbon fiber （CF） reinforced composites is the key factor to determine the comprehensive properties of the composites. The sizing agent plays an indispensable role between carbon fibers and matrix resins. Environmentally friendly hydrophilic sizing agent is is a hot research issue to be solved. In this work,the hydrophilic lignin-based sizing agent and carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene （PP） composites are prepared and studied. The lignin is ozonized to increase the reactive group. The obtained lignin reacts with epoxy group to prepare the oxidized organic solvent lignin based epoxy resin（OLBE）. OLBE reacts with alcohol amine and carboxylic acid to obtain the hydrophilic lignin-based sizing agent. KH550 is further added to balance the hygroscopicity of sizing agent. Finally,an oxidized organic solvent lignin-based hydrophilic sizing agent（OLBEDK）with excellent stability was prepared. The CF treated with 2. 5% solid content OLBEDK was only 3. 0 mg. The ILSS,Flexural strength,Flexural modulus and Impact strength of CF/PP composites are increased by 50. 8%,34. 2%,53. 7% and 127. 8%, respectively,compared with those of CF/PP composites without sizing. This is attributed to the π-π conjugation between the benzene ring of lignin and the carbon six-membered ring of CF,and the physical entanglement between the alkyl chain of KH550 and the molecular chain of PP,which enhances the interfacial interaction between CF and PP effectively. © 2022, Science Press (China). All rights reserved.     

Thermoplastic resins,polyquats, and membranes based on epoxies

High-molecular-weight branched-addition polymers made from oligomeric solid epoxy resins and amines carrying two active hydrogen atoms are described. The reaction with aliphatic amines like ethanolamine, 2-ethylhexylamine, or piperazine can easily be controlled carrying out the polymerization in about 15% solutions of boiling 2-methoxyethanol. Less basic derivatives of aniline and epoxy resins are processed at 200°C in the molten state. Polymers with M _n up to 33,000 and M _w to 720,000 are obtained. Properties of films and injection moldings are described. The tertiary nitrogen atoms present in the polymer chain can be quaternized with alkylating agents, like dimethylsulfate, methyliodide, or trimethyl phosphate. Thin membranes cast from the polyquats thus obtained exhibit a good flow rate for water and a high salt rejection under reverse osmosis conditions.     

Epoxy/poly(4-vinylphenol) blends crosslinked by imidazole initiation

Poly(4-vinylphenol) (PVPh) was used as thermoplastic modifier of epoxy resins. Binary epoxy/PVPh mixtures with high thermoplastic content rise high glass transition temperatures (T _g) after heating, due to the epoxy-phenol reaction. Blends with low PVPh percentages reach high T _g if 2-methylimidazole is added, which catalyses epoxy homopolymerisation and epoxy-phenol reaction. The cured blends do not present phase separation although the network structure depends on the epoxy/phenol ratio. At low PVPh percentage the main crosslinking reaction is epoxy-epoxy but, when the thermoplastic content increases, the epoxy-phenol reaction prevails, causing an important T _g increase and becoming less brittle.     

A review on flammability of epoxy polymer,cellulosic and non‐cellulosic fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Natural fiber is well‐known reinforcement filler in polymer‐matrix composites. Composite components like organic polymers and natural fibers are natural fire conductors as the natural fiber consists of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, and hence are as highly flammable as wood. Natural fiber reinforced composite materials are progressively being used in a variety of applications where their fire response is a hazardous consideration, for example, in the automotive (transportation) and building‐construction industries. As a result, an awareness of their performance or response during a fire and the use of conventional fire retardants are of great importance, as they are subject to thermal decomposition when exposed to intensive high heat or fire sources. In this review paper, fire flammability is the main concern for cellulosic and non‐cellulosic fiber‐reinforced polymer composites, especially epoxy composites. This paper reviews the literature on the recent developments in flammability studies concerning polymers, epoxy polymers, cellulosic‐fibers, and non‐cellulosic fiber‐reinforced epoxy bio‐composites. The prime objective of this review is to expand the reach of “fire retardants for polymer materials and composites” to the science community, including physicists, chemists, and engineers in order to broaden the range of their applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

含二氮杂萘酮联苯结构热塑性聚芳醚树脂基复合材料研究进展

含二氮杂萘酮联苯结构聚芳醚是一类综合性能优异的耐高温热塑性树脂,可采用多种方式加工成型。与传统聚芳醚相比,具有低成本、优异的高温力学性能和良好的溶解性等优势,可作为基体树脂应用于制备复合材料。本文主要介绍了近几年在含二氮杂萘酮联苯结构热塑性聚芳醚树脂基复合材料方面的研究进展,包括玻璃纤维增强复合材料、碳纤维增强复合材料...     

New strategy to reinforce and toughen composites via introducing thorns-like micro/nanofibers

In this work, we report a new strategy of introducing thorns-like fiber into composites, so that the resultant composites substantially benefit from strong fiber–matrix interface adhesion. Specifically, the “thorns” could increase in interlocking molecules chains and entangle with the surrounding matrix resin, which could impede the mobility of polymer chains, as like the roots with uplift capacity. Strong interfacial adhesion between fibers and matrices is suggested by the SEM images and the DMA studies. After the thorns-like fibers are embedded into epoxy resin, the glass transition temperature (T_g) and the storage modulus (E′) are higher than these of neat epoxy and untreated fibers-reinforced epoxy, respectively, and the flexural properties of the composites reinforced with thorns-like fibers are significantly increased. Therefore these novel three dimensional thorns-like fibers will be applicable for composite materials based upon its unique architecture, making it an attractive alternative to increase the performance of any matrix resin.     

Synthesis and performance of flexible epoxy resin with long alkyl side chains via click reaction

Epoxy resin is a thermosetting polymer with excellent performance and wide application. However, it suffers from low toughness and high brittleness because of its high crosslink density. To overcome these disadvantages, this study synthesizes a toughened, flexible, and hydrophobic epoxy resin (DGEBDBP) by introducing a flexible segment into the polymer network via a thiol-ene click reaction. The cured flexible epoxy resin is obtained by mixing E44, DGEBDBP, and polyamide curing agents of varying contents. The long alkyl side chains significantly improve the mechanical properties and hydrophobicity of the cured epoxy resin. The sample containing 75% DGEBDBP and 25% E44 achieve the highest breaking elongation that was nine times that of pure E44, the highest compressive strength of 112.8 MPa, and the highest contact angle of 101.4°. The introduction of side chains through the thiol-ene click reaction can provide a simple and effective method for designing and preparing multifunctional epoxy resins.     

Enhancement of composite‐metal interfacial adhesion strength by dendrimer

The interface between carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites and metal plays a critical role in determining the strength of epoxy/metal laminated composites. We propose to introduce one dendrimer layer into the epoxy/metal interface, aiming to enhance the interfacial adhesion strength so that the interface could more effectively transfer the load from epoxy to metal. In this paper, the preparation and adsorption of dendrimer layer onto the alumina surface were systematically investigated. The results show that a highly stable and nanopatterned dendrimers layer was dip‐coated onto alumina substrates by adsorbing poly (amidoamine) dendrimers. It was confirmed that the dendrimers were adsorbed onto the alumina via acid‐base chemical interactions. The adsorption depends on the reaction time. The adhesion property between dendrimers and alumina was examined by sonication method. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reaction of epoxy resin and hyperbranched polyacids

The condensation reaction between two different epoxy resins and a hyperbranched polyester (MAHP) [poly(allyloxy maleic acid‐co‐maleic anhydride)] was studied. We compared two kinds of diglycidyl ether bisphenol A type of epoxy resins with different molecular weights, that is, epoxy resin GY240 (M = 365 g/mol) and GT6064 (M = 1540 g/mol) in this reaction. The results showed a marked difference in their reaction pattern in terms of ability to form crosslinked polymer networks with MAHP. For the former low‐molecular‐weight epoxy resin, no crosslinking could be observed in good solvents such as THF or dioxane within the set of reaction conditions used in this study. Instead, polymers with epoxide functional degrees between 0.34 and 0.5 were formed. By contrast, the latter high‐molecular‐weight epoxy resin, GT6064, rapidly produced highly crosslinked materials with MAHP under the same reaction conditions. The spherical‐shape model of hyperbranched polymer was applied to explain this difference in reaction behavior. Hence, we have postulated that low‐molecular‐weight epoxy resins such as GY240 are unable to crosslink the comparatively much bigger spherically shaped MAHP molecules. However, using high‐molecular‐weight epoxy resins greatly enhances the probability of crosslinking in this system. Computer simulations verified the spherical shape and condensed bond density of MAHP in good solvents, and submicron particle analysis showed that the average MAHP particle size was 9 nm in THF. Furthermore, the epoxy‐functionalized polyesters were characterized by ¹H NMR and FTIR, and the molecular weights and molecular‐weight distributions were determined by size‐exclusion chromatography. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4457–4465, 2000     

High-temperature reactions of hydroxyl and carboxyl PET chain end groups in the presence of aromatic phosphite

When melt-extruded in the presence of triphenylphosphite (TPP), the molecular weight of polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) increases with time. Analysis of the PET chain end groups and model studies of high-temperature reactions indicate that, most likely, the process leading to chain extension of PET in the presence of TPP takes place in two steps. In the first step, TPP rapidly reacts with the hydroxyl end groups by displacing one phenoxy group from the TPP. In the second step, a slow reaction takes place between the alkyldiphenyl phosphite and carboxylic chain end groups, forming an ester bond between the carboxyl and alkyl groups, and producing diphenylphosphite (DPP) as a reaction by-product. The DPP tautomerizes to its pentacovalently bonded stabler form of diphenylphosphate, the form in which the DPP was usually detected in our analyses. The ester formation results in the extension of the PET chains. Model studies are presented which support the proposed mechanism.