Microwave processing, thermoplastic modification with reactive poly(arylene
ether sulfone)s and improved flame retardance of di- and higher functionality epoxy
resins were investigated. The influence of curing temperature and time on morphological
development and fracture behavior was also studied.
Arylamine functionalized poly(arylene ether sulfone)s of controlled molecular
weight were synthesized as soluble, but reactive thermoplastic modifiers for aromatic
amine cured epoxy resins. These materials were characterized via spectroscopy,
thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dilute solution
viscosity, potentiometric titration of their end groups and model chain extension
reactions.
Thermoplastic modification of the epoxy networks was demonstrated to afford
materials with improved fracture resistance. Two glass transition temperatures were
detected in the modified network systems via DSC. Scanning electron microscopy
further confirmed the development of a two phase morphology in modified systems and
that it could be controlled from a dispersed thermoplastic in a continuous epoxy phase, to
a phase inverted morphology as the modifier increased from approximately 15 to 30
weight percent. Improvements in adhesive strength to titanium and fracture toughness were also attributed to the utilization of reactively endcapped polysulfone modifiers and
the highest values were obtained with the phase inverted morphology.
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