A study of the polymerization of epoxide polymers by electrical resistivity techniques

Abstract

An electrical volume resistivity technique has been developed to follow the course of the bulk isothermal polymerization of thermosetting polymers throughout the complete reaction. Details are presented of the method employed to determine the rates of isothermal polymerization, to determine the temperature dependence of the resistivity of the polymer before and after polymerization, and to estimate the extent of polymerization. The glass transition temperature of the solid polymer can also be determined by this technique. Two typical epoxide polymers have been investigated and the results are presented. They indicate that electrical volume resistivity measurements are sensitive to the rate and extent of polymerization of thermosetting polymers.