Surface modification of epoxy resin by polyether-polydimethylsiloxanes-polyether triblock copolymers

In order to reduce static friction coefficient (mu (s)), polyether-polydime thylsiloxane-polyether triblock copolymers (PER-PDMS-PER) were incorporated into epoxy resins as surface modifiers. It was found that longer PDMS segm ents in PER-PDMS-PER and higher modifier contents led to lower mu (s) of mo dified epoxy resins upon stainless steel. The mu (s) of silicone rubber- an d PTFE-side surfaces were evidently lower than that of stainless steel-side surface. ESCA investigations indicated that a longer PDMS block in modifie r resulted in a flatter PDMS gradient at surface and the degree of PDMS acc umulation on PTFE- and silicone rubber-side surfaces were much higher than that on stainless steel-side surface. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.