Kinetic approach for epoxy resins cured with diaminodiphenyl sulfone undernon-isothermal conditions

The curing reactions of epoxy resin basing on diglycidyl ether bisphenol A (DGEBA) with 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) were investigated with a di fferential scanning calorimeter and gel permeation chromatography. Based on the generating function method and the Monte Carlo simulation procedure, k inetic models for both isothermal and nonisothermal curing conditions were proposed. The apparent activation energy of curing reactions was found to b e 14.9 Kcal/mol by the thermal analysis. According to our kinetic models, g el points, the profiles of epoxy conversion, and the molecular weights of p olymers were calculated. Good agreement is obtained between the model predi ctions and experimental data. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.