Bio-based tri-functional epoxy resin (TEIA) blend cured with anhydride (MHHPA) based cross-linker: Thermal, mechanical and morphological characterization

ABSTRACT

A novel renewable resource based tri-functional epoxy resin from itaconic acid (TEIA) was blended with petroleum based epoxy resin (DGEBA) and fabricated at different ratios. Then, it was by thermally cured with methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA) in presence of 2-methylimidazole (2-MI) catalyst. The tensile, modulus, strength of virgin epoxy resin (41.97 MPa, 2222 MPa) increased to 47.59 MPa, 2515 MPa, respectively, with the addition of 30% of TEIA. The fracture toughness parameter, critical stress intensity factor (K_IC) revealed enhancement of toughness in the TEIA bio-based blends system. The thermomechanical properties of TEIA (tri-functional epoxy resin from itaconic acid) modified petroleum-epoxy networks were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The fracture morphology was also studied by the scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Bio-based epoxy resin
• curing agent (MHHPA)
• fracture toughness
• adhesive
• thermal and mechanical properties

Acknowledgments

Authors would like to thanks Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Govt., of India for the support research fund for CoE-II projects.