An. Mauri et al., Epoxy networks based on solutions of silsesquioxanes functionalized with 3-glycidoxypropyl groups in diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), POLYM BULL, 45(6), 2001, pp. 523-530
In previous publications we reported the synthesis and characterization of
silsesquioxanes derived from the hydrolytic condensation of (3-glycidoxypro
pyl) trimethoxysilane (GPMS) using diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) a
s a solvent [1,2]. The reaction product has aliphatic epoxy groups supplied
by the silsesquioxane and aromatic epoxy groups supplied by the solvent. S
olutions containing 0, 25 and 50% aliphatic epoxy groups, were cured with d
ifferent hardeners: methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA), ethylenedia
mine (EDA) and benzyldimethylamine (BDMA). Silsesquioxane-modified epoxy ne
tworks showed a significant increase in the elastic modulus in the rubbery
state, the abrasion resistance and the development of strain hardening in u
niaxial compression tests.