STUDY ON EPOXY-RESINS MODIFIED BY POLYCARBONATE POLYURETHANES

In this article, the structure and properties of the epoxy resin (EP) modified by polyurethane (PU) prepolymers were studied. The three type s of polyurethane prepolymers, namely, polycarbonate-type PU (TPC), po lyether-type PU, and polycarbonate-polyether-type PU were employed. Th e samples were analyzed by means of an infrared spectrometer, a differ ential scanning calorimeter, a scanning electron microscope, a transmi ssion electron microscope, a scanning tunnel microscope, and a thermal gravimeter. The results show that the EP modified by TPC is of excell ent thermal resistance and mechanical properties. Specifically, when t he ratio of PU to EP is 10/100 (wt/wt), optimal properties are achieve d. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc J Appl Polym Sci 69: 887-893, 1998.