Epoxy resins surface properties

Glass fibers sized with polyurethane and polyvinyl acetate formed different interfaces. This was due to the differences in reactivity and miscibility. Polyurethane forms a stronger interface because it is reactive and miscible with epoxy resin. " Surface tension of glass surface in a molten state correlates with the interface formation with polymer. The diffusion at interface contributes to a complex structure controlling properties of the interphase. The analysis of the diffusion at the interphase has helped to develop an understanding of the formation of metal-polymer interfaces and plastic welding. 

Important properties of epoxy resins include their ability to adhere strongly to metal surfaces, their resistance to chemicals, and their high dimensional stability. They can also withstand temperatures up to 500°C. 

Coal tar epoxies These are a combination of epoxy resins and selected coal tars. Properties can vary, depending on the coal tar-to-epoxy ratio. The ideal compromise appears to be approximately 50/50. Coal tar epoxies are only available in black or dark brown. They cost less than straight epoxies and generally have better wetting properties, so they can be used on slightly less than perfect surface preparation. There are similar re-coating problems as for the two-pack epoxies. 

Composite Particles, Inc. reported the use of surface-modified rubber particles in formulations of thermoset systems, such as polyurethanes, polysulfides, and epoxies [95], The surface of the mbber was oxidized by a proprietary gas atmosphere, which leads to the formation of polar functional groups like —COOH and —OH, which in turn enhanced the dispersibility and bonding characteristics of mbber particles to other polar polymers. A composite containing 15% treated mbber particles per 85% polyurethane has physical properties similar to those of the pure polyurethane. Inclusion of surface-modified waste mbber in polyurethane matrix increases the coefficient of friction. This finds application in polyurethane tires and shoe soles. The treated mbber particles enhance the flexibility and impact resistance of polyester-based constmction materials [95]. Inclusion of treated waste mbber along with carboxyl terminated nitrile mbber (CTBN) in epoxy formulations increases the fracture toughness of the epoxy resins [96]. 

Polyvinyl chloride has been modified by photochemical reactions in order to either produce a conductive polymer or to improve its light-stability. In the first case, the PVC plate was extensively photochlorinated and then degraded by UV exposure in N2. Total dehydrochlorination was achieved by a short Ar+ laser irradiation at 488 nm that leads to a purely carbon polymer which was shown to exhibit an electrical conductivity. In the second case, an epoxy-acrylate resin was coated onto a transparent PVC sheet and crosslinked by UV irradiation in the presence of both a photoinitiator and a UV absorber. This superficial treatment was found to greatly improve the photostability of PVC as well as its surface properties. 

TPX shows an excellent peelability from a wide variety of materials. Therefore, TPX is used in applications in that separating properties are important. For this reason, it can be used as a release material in the process of curing thermosetting resins. In Table 4.4, the separating force expressed as surface tension of various materials against an epoxy resin are shown. 

C. Epoxy ROSins. The epoxy resins are thermosetting plastics which have great strength and the ability to form tenacious bonds with most surfaces. Furthermore, the cured resin is resistant to many solvents and chemicals. (Some epoxy resins are decomposed by acetic acid, and all are attacked by very strong oxidizing agents.) Because of this combination of properties, epoxy cements are frequently used to bond metal, glass, wood, and plastics. 

The general properties of cured and uncured epoxy resins are reviewed in Chap. 3. The chemical structures of the resin and curing agent will determine these physical properties. They will also determine, to a great extent, the surface chemistry and adhesion properties of the final product. 

The resins based on glycerol and pentaerythritol are water-soluble and have low viscosity. They can have greater functionality and reactivity than conventional DGEBA resins. Resins based on polytaerythritol are claimed to have excellent adhesive properties including the ability to adhere to wet surfaces. They cure between 2 and 8 times faster than DGEBA epoxy resins and reduce the viscosity of DGEBA by 50 percent when used in concentration of 20 pph. 

Fluoroepoxies have gained interest because of the unique adhesion properties that can be provided by the fluorine groups. There have been several attempts to marry the properties of epoxy resins with those of fluorocarbon resins. In general these have focused on adhesive systems that (1) have a lower surface tension than unmodified epoxy or (2) have significant hydrophobicity to resist exposures in moist environments. 

Recently it has also been shown that modified spherical nanosilica particles can be used to toughen epoxy resins without the loss of other properties, such as glass transition temperature or modulus.28 When such surface modified nanoparticles are added to CTBN toughened epoxy resins, the performance of both one- and two-component epoxy adhesives was greatly improved. 

The common surface preparation treatment for epoxy resins is to wipe with solvent, mechanical abrasion, and final solvent cleaning. Epoxy parts can be most easily bonded with an epoxy adhesive similar to the material being bonded. Urethanes, cyanoacrylates, and thermosetting acrylics have also been used when certain properties or processing parameters are required. 

The advent of the atomic force microscope has allowed surface properties at nearly molecular length scales to be measured directly for the first time. Recently, a method has been proposed whereby a small ( 3.5 /nn) particle is attached to the cantilever tip of the commercially available, Nanoscope II AFM [67,68]. The particles are attached with an epoxy resin. When the cantilever tip is placed close to a planar surface, the AFM measures directly the interaction force between the particle and the surface. A primary difference between this technique and the surface forces apparatus (SFA) is the size of the substrates, since the SFA generally requires smooth surfaces approximately 2 cm in diameter. Other differences are discussed by Ducker et al. [68]. For our purposes, it suffices to note that the AFM method explicitly incorporates the particle-wall geometry that is the focus of this chapter. 

Fig. 16 Schematic representation of an interface-induced segregation scenario. As long as the viscosity of the crosslinking system is low enough, segregation of epoxy resin and curing agent may occur, driven by the polar surface of the Cu component. Conservation of mass requires a depletion zone close to the zone of enrichment. Via the network structure the concentration profile is reflected by the local mechanical properties of the cured epoxy system...

Molded articles from cellular polysulfone, coated with polystyrene, epoxy resin, or vinyl resin, are reported to have improved hardness and surface rigidity. They can also be used as insulating or packaging materials, or, when modified with urea-formaldehyde resin, as flowerpots that are permeable to air and water. These foams have excellent selfextinguishing and low anoke-generating properties (21). 

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