THERMAL-DEGRADATION KINETICS OF EPOXY-ANHYDRIDE RESINS - I - INFLUENCE OF A SILICA FILLER

Thermal degradation kinetics of epoxy-anhydride resins has been studie d by thermogravimetry in both, isothermal and nonisothermal conditions . It was found that the kinetics of thermal degradation can be fairly described by a simple reaction-order model. The calculated kinetic par ameters, E-a, and n, are considerably lower for pure resin than for re sin containing silica filler. Therefore, the addition of silica filler increases thermal degradation rate of the resin. A difference was als o observed between the set of kinetic parameters obtained by kinetic a nalysis of isothermal and non-isothermal data, particularly with respe ct to the activation energy. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.