P. Punchaipetch (1), V. Ambrogi (1, 2) , M. Giamberini (2), W. Brostow (1), C. Carfagna (2), N.A. D'Souza (1)

(1) Department of Materials Science, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203-5310, USA; ndsouza@unt.edu
(2) Department of Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy

ABSTRACT

In situ copolymerization of diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenol (DGE-DHBP) with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol F (DGEBP-F) networks using an anhydride curing agent has been investigated. DGEBP-F is a commercial epoxy while cured DGE-DHBP shows liquid crystal transitions. Curing kinetics are determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The data were fitted using an autocatalytic curing model for both pure and mixed components. Isothermal and non-isothermal methods were compared. The glass transition (Tg) was evaluated as a function of composition using DSC. The results show that the DGE-DHBP constituent affects the curing kinetics of the epoxy resin and that the network exhibits one Tg.