EPOXY-RESIN POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) BLENDS CURED WITH AROMATIC AMINE

Blends of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane-crosslinked diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEG) were investigated. The miscibil ity of the blends was established on the basis of thermal analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis studies. A single, composition-dependent glass transition temperature (T-g) was seen, and a marked negative dev iation from the Fox equation was noticed after the curing reaction. Th e more PEO content in the blends, the larger is the negative deviation . This is ascribed to the formation of imperfect semi-interpenetrating polymer networks of epoxy/PEO, since the dilution effect of PEG, whic h is a miscible, inactive diluent, results in an incomplete curing rea ction. Therefore, T-g values decrease.