Kinetics of thermal decomposition of isocyanate-epoxy materials crosslinked in the presence of 1-ethylimidazole accelerator

Abstract

The kinetics of thermal decomposition of isocyanate-epoxy materials crosslinked in the presence of 1-ethylimidazole (EMI) as accelerator was analyzed using Ozawa, Kissinger, Friedman, and Coats-Redfern methods. The thermal decomposition parameters of the cured isocyanate-epoxy system were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at different heating rates. TG curves showed that the thermal decomposition of the isocyanate-epoxy system occurred in two steps despite EMI content. The thermal stability of the isocyanate-epoxy system increased with increase of EMI content (Ed) 1.2 wt %. The reason could be higher isocyanurate and oxazolidone ring contents, which enhance its thermal resistance properties.