Thermal deformation properties of oligoepoxide-based binders

Crosslink density and a number of other physicochemical parameters of composites are investigated as functions of the initial mixture composition by the example of materials comprising bisphenol A-based epoxy oligomers with different molecular masses, nitrogen-chlorine-containing oligoepoxide, epoxy novolac block copolymer, epoxyurethane modifier, and amine and anhydride curing agents. It is shown that the incorporation of elasticizers into densely crosslinked polymers reduces the free kinetic volume of the latter. The modification of binder makes it possible to obtain composites that are both well deformed and capable of recovering initial shape at T ≥ T _g. The properties of glass-and carbon-reinforced plastics prepared using the developed elasticized binders by the contact molding are described. This method ensures defect-free bending deformation that exceeds that achieved in the case of compression molding. A rubber-like deformation technology is elaborated that enables one to employ blow molding for the production of open-contour items from cured blanks and closed-contour items that cannot be produced by winding because of their configuration.