Glass Reinforcement of Various Epoxy Resin (Dimethylolurea-Phenol Resin) Systems

Abstract

N,N′-dimethylolurea (DMU) was prepared and condensed with phenol (P) in the presence of an alcoholic alkali catalyst using 1:1 mole ratio of DMU:P. The resultant DMUP resin was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectral studies and number average molecular weight estimates by nonaqueous conductometric titration. Further reaction of DMUP resin was carried out with the three epoxy resins DGEBA, DGEBC and DGEBF. The curing of the prepared resins was monitored by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and their kinetic parameters have been evaluated. Based on DSC thermograms, glass fiber-reinforced composites have been laminated and characterized by chemical, mechanical and electrical properties. The unreinforced cured resins were subjected to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Keywords:

• composites
• differential scanning calorimeter (DSC)
• hexamethylenetetramine (HEXA)
• infrared spectra (IR)
• N,N′-dimethylolurea (DMU)
• N,N′-dimethylolurea-phenol (DMUP) resin
• number average molecular weight (Mn)
• thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)

We are thankful to the Head of the Chemistry Department for providing research facilities.