Polymer degradation epoxy resins

Thermosets consist of a network of interconnected chains whose positions are fixed relative to their neighbors. Such polymers do not flow when heated. Instead, when exposed to high temperatures, thermosets degrade into char. Examples of thermosets include some polyurethanes and epoxy resins. 

J. Kim, K. Lee, K. Lee, J. Bae, J. Yang, and S. Hong, Studies on the thermal stabilization enhancement of ABS synergistic effect of triphenyl phosphate nanocomposite, epoxy resin, and silane coupling agent mixtures, Polym. Degrad. Stab., 79(2) 201-207, 2003. 

D.P. Bishop and D.A. Smith, Combined pyrolysis and radiochemical gas chromatography for studying the thermal degradation of epoxy resins and polyimides. I. The degradation of epoxy resins in nitrogen between 400° and 700°C. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 14, 205 (1970). 

Levchik, S. V., Camino, G., Luda, M. P., Costa, L., Muller, G., and Costes, B., Epoxy resins cured with aminophenymethylphosphine oxide Mechanism of thermal decomposition, Polym. Degrad. Stab., 1998, 60, 169-183. 

Ren, H., Sun, J., Wu, B., and Zhou, Q., Synthesis and properties of a phosphorus-containing flame retardant epoxy resin based on bisphenoxy(3-hydroxy) phenyl phosphine oxide, Polym. Degrad. Stab., 2007, 92, 956-961. 

Toldy, A., Anna, P., Csontos, I., Szabo, A., and Marosi, Gy. 2007. Intrinsically flame retardant epoxy resin—Fire performance and background—Part I. Polymer Degradation and Stability 92(12) 2223-2230. 

Suzuki T, Sunose T, Amasaki I, Ozawa T. Chemiluminescence of epoxy resin. Polym Degrad Stabil 2002 77 87-91. 

Alessi, S., Conduruta, D., Pitarresi, G., Dispenza, C., Spadaro, G., Hydrothermal ageing of radiation cured epoxy resin-polyether sulfone blends as matrices for structural composites. Polymer Degradation and Stability 2010, 95, 677-683. 

Jin Jin, F.-L., Park, S.-J. Improvement in fracture behaviors of epoxy resins toughened with sulfo-nated poly(ether sulfone). Polym. Degrad. Stab. 92 (2007) 509-514. 

Ale Alessi, S., Conduruta, D., Pitarresi, G., Dispenza, C., Spadaro, G. Accelerated ageing due to moisture absorption of thermally cured epoxy resin/polyethersulphone blends Thermal, mechanical and morphological behaviour. Polym. Degradation Stability 96 (2011) 642-648. llAsi Asif, A., Rao, V. L., Ninan, K. N. Preparation, characterization, thermo-mechanical, and barrier properties of exfoliated thermoplastic toughened epoxy clay ternary nanocomposites. Polym. Adv. Technol. 22 (2011) 437 47. 

Recently/ the crosslinking reactions of tetrafiinctional epoxy resins with aromatic primary diamines was investigated. The crosslinked polymers were characterized by UV visible and fluo> rescence spectroscopies after gelation. The amount of tertiary amine fluorescence intensity of the spectra shows significant amounts of such amines in the finished products. The infrared spectra confirm the overall reaction of epoxides with amines, but also show that ether formation becomes significant only late in the cure. In addition, during the cure, especially in air, some oxidations and degradations occur. This results in color formation. 

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