FTIR Analysis of the Curing Behaviors of Bi-Functional Epoxy Resin with Anhydride Based Hardener

Abstract

In the field of structural materials, there is a growing need to use new materials/components, which can be easily manufactured through energy-saving production processes. The design of the new materials must guarantee improved mechanical and thermal performance or at least the preservation of the performance of current materials. This study deals with the kinetics and the curing reactions of a bi-functional epoxy precursor, which can be cured using as hardener an anhydride. The system is able to reach a high curing degree and good mechanical performance, suitable for structural components. The curing process has been monitored using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The FTIR results highlight high curing conversions also at low values of temperature.