Synthesis and crosslinking of new bis(4,5‐epoxytetrahydrophthalimides)

Abstract

AbstractPreparation and characterization of novel cycloaliphatic epoxy resins derived from tetrahydrophthalimide compounds were studied. Crosslinking studies on these resins were carried out using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA). Thermal crosslinking overlaps with degradation and, therefore, hardeners or catalysts were used in order to decrease the crosslinking temperature. Primary or tertiary amines did not give curing reaction but the latter afforded isomerization to produce phthalimides when the amine was used in a great proportion. On the other hand, the use of anhydride (cis‐1,2‐cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride) as hardener and a tertiary amine (4‐dimethylaminopyridine) as accelerator led to crosslinked materials. DSC was used to follow the reaction and a dynamic method was applied to obtain kinetic parameters. Thermal stability was evaluated by TGA.