Thermal properties of epoxy/ block-copolymer blends

Abstract

New ways to improve the thermal properties of epoxy systems have been interesting topic for polymer researchers for several years. The block copolymer-modified epoxy matrix has received a great deal of attention and is still being intensely studied. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is the most commonly used technique to investigate the thermal properties of epoxy/block copolymer systems. It can generally provide information such as phase behavior, miscibility, glass transition temperature, melting temperature, etc. between the block copolymer blocks and the epoxy matrix. In this chapter, we have mainly focused on the changes in the glass transition properties of the thermosets modified with block copolymers. The influence of the type of block copolymers and curing agents used and the effects of cure time and temperature on the phase behavior and microphase separation of epoxy thermosets are also discussed.