Design of morphology in PMMA-modified epoxy resins by control of curing conditions. I. Phase behavior

Rheokinetic and phase separation behavior of diglycidylether of bisphenol-A -4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane epoxy mixtures, modified with a constant amou nt (15 wt %) of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), have been investigated. S toichiometric epoxy/amine mixtures precured at 80 degrees C several times p resented various levels of miscibility. Differential scanning calorimetry ( DSC) and dynamic mechanic thermal analysis were used for rheokinetic studie s of curing and also for testing the thermal behavior of the fully cured mi xtures. Phase separation, through curing, was simultaneously studied by tra nsmission optical microscopy and DSC, showing an excellent correlation betw een the results obtained with both techniques. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 772-780, 1999.