Vr. Gumen et al., Prediction of the glass transition temperatures for epoxy resins and blends using group interaction modelling, POLYMER, 42(13), 2001, pp. 5717-5725
Application of modem simulation methods for the prediction of the engineeri
ng properties of polymeric materials may be a substitute for more time cons
uming experiments. The principles of molecular modelling have been combined
with group interaction modelling (GIM) for the prediction of properties of
thermoset resins. The glass transition temperature of the systems was pred
icted from the chemical structure of the resins and the effect of different
hardeners on T-g was assessed. Different chemical reaction mechanisms whic
h occur during resin cure were incorporated into the model for better predi
ctions. A new set of expanded GIM equations include one for determination o
f model input parameters from the conventional modelling principles for the
estimate of T-g. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mecha
nical thermal analysis (DMTA) experimental values of degree of cure and gla
ss transition temperature were used to provide comparative analysis for the
computations. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.