| Abstract: | A diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) epoxy resin has been stoichiometrically cured with cycloaliphatic amine 4,4′-diamino-3,3′-dimethylcyclohexylmethane (3DCM) and modified with an amine terminated oligomer polyoxypropylenetriamine (POPTA) at a concentration of 15 wt %. Mixtures, postcured at the same temperature, have been precured at different temperatures. Phase separation takes place before gelation at all precure temperatures used. The variation in the glass transition region of the mixtures has been analyzed by dynamic mechanical measurements. Mechanical properties and fracture toughness of the modified mixtures have been related to their microstructural spherical features. Results are compared to those for the unmodified mixtures cured with different precure temperatures. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
