Epoxy mechanics

The catalytically functioning curing agents do not directly participate in the crosslinked network but promote reactions between epoxy groups themselves. Tertiary amines as well as boron trifluoride type complexes are effective catalytic agents. Excellent discussions of the specific curing agents, their reactivity with epoxy and their effect on epoxy mechanical properties are available in the literature 4 6I. 

Alteration of this epoxy structure is the result of the fact that the epoxy molecules are both reacting and diffusing at the same time. This process forms a concentration gradient with a high epoxy monomer concentration at the surface which gradually reduces to the bulk concentration away from the surface. The properties of an epoxy with an excess of resin can be quite different from the stoichiometric amount. Figure 2, for example, illustrated the alteration of cured epoxy mechanical properties with epoxy/amine ratio. Excess epoxy or less than the stoichiometric amount of amine produces a brittle material if the mixture is cured in the same manner as the stoichiometric amount (Fig. 2). The stoichiometric sample has the lowest modulus while excess amine produces increased brittleness. The potential for variation in local properties within the epoxy due to the presence of a 200 nm or less layer must be considered. 

Compared to the carboxylated nitrile elastomer additives, the use of thermoplastics has primarily been focused on the aerospace industry. On a cost per pound basis, the two-phase nitrile additives offer the best combination of property improvement without negative impact. The thermoplastic additives, however, may offer better high-temperature performance, but they are more difficult to formulate and to process as adhesives. As a result, the cost of these adhesives is generally much higher than that of other toughened epoxy mechanisms. 

Crosslink density is another fector which governs epoxy mechanical properties. Crosslink density is the number of effective crosslinks per unit volume and is quantified by dividing the number of backbone atoms, n, by the number of crosslinks, . ... 

A type of polyester powder, not including epoxy resin but curing by an epoxy mechanism, is the type cured with triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC). 

Meador M A B, Fabrizzio E F, llhan F, Dass A, Zhang G, Vassilaras P, Johnston J C, Leventis N (2005) Cross-Unking amine modified silica aerogels with epoxies Mechanically strong lightweight porous materials. Chem Mater 17 1085-1098. 

Numerous avenues to produce these materials have been explored (128—138). The synthesis of two new fluorinated bicycHc monomers and the use of these monomers to prepare fluorinated epoxies with improved physical properties and a reduced surface energy have been reported (139,140). The monomers have been polymerized with the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, and the thermal and mechanical properties of the resin have been characterized. The resulting polymer was stable up to 380°C (10% weight loss by tga). 

Grade G-10, glass fabric with epoxy resin binder, has extremely high mechanical strength (flexural, impact, and bonding) at room temperature and good dielectric loss and electric strength properties under both dry and humid conditions. 

Studies of the particle—epoxy interface and particle composition have been helphil in understanding the mbber-particle formation in epoxy resins (306). Based on extensive dynamic mechanical studies of epoxy resin cure, a mechanism was proposed for the development of a heterophase morphology in mbber-modifted epoxy resins (307). Other functionalized mbbers, such as amine-terminated butadiene—acrylonitrile copolymers (308) and -butyl acrylate—acryhc acid copolymers (309), have been used for toughening epoxy resins. 

Mechanical properties of mbber-modifted epoxy resins depend on the extent of mbber-phase separation and on the morphological features of the mbber phase. Dissolved mbber causes plastic deformation and necking at low strains, but does not result in impact toughening. The presence of mbber particles is a necessary but not sufficient condition for achieving impact resistance. Optimum properties are obtained with materials comprising both dissolved and phase-separated mbber (305). 

A proposed mechanism for toughening of mbber-modifted epoxies based on the microstmcture and fracture characteristics (310—312) involves mbber cavitation and matrix shear-yielding. A quantitative expression describes the fracture toughness values over a wide range of temperatures and rates. 

Pyrotechnic mixtures may also contain additional components that are added to modify the bum rate, enhance the pyrotechnic effect, or serve as a binder to maintain the homogeneity of the blended mixture and provide mechanical strength when the composition is pressed or consoHdated into a tube or other container. These additional components may also function as oxidizers or fuels in the composition, and it can be anticipated that the heat output, bum rate, and ignition sensitivity may all be affected by the addition of another component to a pyrotechnic composition. An example of an additional component is the use of a catalyst, such as iron oxide, to enhance the decomposition rate of ammonium perchlorate. Diatomaceous earth or coarse sawdust may be used to slow up the bum rate of a composition, or magnesium carbonate (an acid neutralizer) may be added to help stabilize mixtures that contain an acid-sensitive component such as potassium chlorate. Binders include such materials as dextrin (partially hydrolyzed starch), various gums, and assorted polymers such as poly(vinyl alcohol), epoxies, and polyesters. Polybutadiene mbber binders are widely used as fuels and binders in the soHd propellant industry. The production of colored flames is enhanced by the presence of chlorine atoms in the pyrotechnic flame, so chlorine donors such as poly(vinyl chloride) or chlorinated mbber are often added to color-producing compositions, where they also serve as fuels. 

Vinyl ester resins generally offer mechanical properties superior to those of polyester matrices but at an increased cost. Vinyl esters are chemically similar to epoxy resins but are manufactured via a cold-curing process similar to that used in the manufacture of polyester resins. Vinyl esters offer superior resistance to water and chemical attack and are used in such appHcations as underground pipes, tank liners, and storage tanks (see Vinyl polymers). 

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