Cure kinetics of amine cured tetrafunctional epoxy blends with poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)

Cure kinetics using a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique wer e analyzed for a thermoplastic modified tetraglycidyI-4,4'-diaminodiphenylm ethane (TGDDM) epoxy resin cured with diaminodiphenylsulphone (DDS), an aro matic diamine. The neat resin and its blends with the poly(styrene-co-acryl onitrile) (SAN) of various compositions were studied by applying a phenomen ological model proposed by Kamal. Kinetic parameters were determined by fit ting experimental data. This model gives a good description of cure kinetic s up to the onset of vitrification. Diffusion control was incorporated to d escribe the cure in the latter stages of cure. The results showed that the addition of SAN did not alter the nature of the reaction, but the reaction rates and final conversions decreased when SAN contents increase, due to re duction of mobility of the reacting species.