Kinetic Analysis and Characterization of Epoxy Resins ... - FedOA
Kinetic Analysis and Characterization of Epoxy Resins ... - FedOA
Kinetic Analysis and Characterization of Epoxy Resins ... - FedOA
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Chapter 3<br />
Results <strong>and</strong> Discussion<br />
The objective <strong>of</strong> the work reported here is to study an alternative curing process<br />
<strong>of</strong> epoxy systems based on microwave dielectric heating. The possible advantages<br />
<strong>of</strong> this crosslinking mechanism, in comparison with thermally activated process,<br />
have been investigated through the following techniques:<br />
• <strong>Kinetic</strong> analysis;<br />
• Final properties characterization.<br />
The kinetic analysis <strong>of</strong> the epoxy resin is important both for a better underst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
<strong>of</strong> structure-property relationships <strong>and</strong> for optimizing the processing<br />
conditions. In fact the physical <strong>and</strong> mechanical properties <strong>of</strong> the system largely<br />
depend upon the extent <strong>of</strong> cure, while their processability is dependent on the rate<br />
<strong>of</strong> polymerization.<br />
While the characterization <strong>of</strong> the final properties enables a direct comparison<br />
<strong>of</strong> the efficiency <strong>of</strong> the microwave versus conventional curing process.<br />
In this chapter the experimental results <strong>and</strong> analysis <strong>and</strong> elaboration <strong>of</strong> the<br />
data will be presented. The first section is dedicated to calorimetric characterization<br />
<strong>of</strong> the epoxy system conventionally <strong>and</strong> microwave cured. The second section<br />
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