Curing shrinkage kinetics and optimization of epoxy oligomer compositions with active diluents

Abstract

The results of a study of the kinetics and level of shrinkage during curing of systems based on the ED-20 epoxy oligomer with an amine hardener and active diluents (AD) of different nature, structure and characteristics (laproxides and laprolat) are presented.The effect of the structure, AD content and curing temperature on the kinetics and level of shrinkage, as well as the glass transition temperature of epoxy systems with AD, is shown.It was found that the most effective AD in the ED-20 + TETA system are laproxides of the E-181 and 703 brands, as well as laprolat 301 with a content of 0.15 vol.Optimal compositions of binders based on epoxy oligomers with active diluents with low shrinkage (~1.5-2 times), initial viscosity no more than ~0.2 Pa·s at a curing temperature of 60°C, which guarantees high-quality impregnation of fiber fillers and high the level of physical and mechanical characteristics of reinforced plastics.