The effect of solvent additions on the mechanical properties of epoxy

الملخص EN

The effect of the Toluene C6H5CH3 and Acetone (CH3) 2CO additions on the mechanical properties of cured Epoxy is studied.

Different weight percentages of Toluene (0, 4, 8, 10 & 14 wt %) and Acetone (0, 3, 5, 8 & 10 wt %) were used under curing temperatures (40°C and 60°C) for Toluene and 40°C for Acetone with curing time of 24hrs.

The results show improved mechanical properties (Young modulus and Fracture stress) for Epoxy samples cured at 40°C with the increase of Toluene to a maximum of 8wt %, then these properties are degraded as the Toluene percentage increase.

In the contrary, the Epoxy samples cured at 60 °C shows poorer properties with increased weight percentages of the Toluene.

Epoxy samples thinned with different amount of Acetone solvent is prepared and cured.

These samples show best mechanical properties at Acetone addition of 5wt %.

Extra amounts of Acetone addition degrade the results.

The mechanical properties, fracture morphology and FTIR spectra shows more aggressive effect of the Acetone compared with Toluene as solvent.