In this study, composite plates were manufactured by hand lay-up process with epoxy matrix (DGEBA) reinforced with Kevlar fiber plain fabric and Kevlar/glass hybrid fabric, using to an innovative architecture. Results of the mechanical properties of composites were obtained by tensile, bending and impact tests. These tests were performed in the parallel direction or fill directions of the warp and in a 90° direction. FTIR was used in order to verify the minimum curing time of the resin to perform the mechanical tests, and scanning electron microscopy was used to observe reinforcement and matrix fractures. Composites with Kevlar/glass hybrid structure in the reinforcing fabric showed the better results with respect to specific mechanical strength, as well as bending and impact energy.

Evaluation of the mechanical behavior of epoxy composite reinforced with Kevlar plain fabric and glass/Kevlar hybrid fabric

Recent years have witnessed significant advances in biobased epoxy resins to replace their petroleum-based counterparts, especially diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A type epoxy resin (DGEBA). However, for meeting a great variety of the requirements, long-standing challenges include environmentally friendly preparation of epoxy resin with few toxic byproducts and improving their properties. Herein, we report a facile method to synthesize new silicone-bridged difunctional epoxy monomers in high yield. They are derived from naturally occurring eugenol by introducing the methylsiloxane and phenylsiloxane linkers of different chain lengths into their molecular backbones. These synthesized liquid epoxy monomers have definitive molecular structure with high purity. These silicone-bridged difunctional epoxy monomers exhibit much lower viscosity (<2.5 Pa s) than commercial DGEBA epoxy (10.7 Pa s) suitable for composites and prepregs. After curing, they exhibit a dielectric permittivity as low as 2.8 and good intrins...

Biobased Epoxy Resin with Low Electrical Permissivity and Flame Retardancy: From Environmental Friendly High-Throughput Synthesis to Properties

Aiming to develop a multi-functional flame retardant for epoxy resins, a novel bio-based eugenol derivative containing silicon and phosphorus [((1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)bis(propane-3,1-diyl))bis(2-methoxy-4,1-phenylene)bis(phenylphosphonochloridate), SIEPDP] was synthesized, and was further used to modify Mg–Al layered double hydroxide (SIEPDP-LDH). This modified SIEPDP-LDH was used as a novel nanoflame-retardant for bisphenol epoxy resins and compared with unmodified pristine LDH. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis justified that intercalation of SIEPDP into LDH increased the interlayer distance to 2.95 nm. Morphological analysis (XRD and TEM) revealed that the SIEPDP-LDH was dispersed well in the epoxy matrix in a partially exfoliated manner. Results from the cone calorimeter tests showed that even a low loading of SIEPDP-LDH into epoxy resin led to a significant decrease in heat release rate and total heat release compared to unmodified LDH/epoxy composites. More interestingly, SIEPDP-LDH/epoxy's UL-94 classification passed V-0 with only 8 wt% loading. Moreover, the addition of SIEPDP-LDH enabled the increase in the impact strength and modulus of the cured epoxy. These data indicated that SIEPDP-LDH could serve as not only a nanoflame retardant but a good reinforcing agent as well.

Synthesis and characterization of functional eugenol derivative based layered double hydroxide and its use as a nanoflame-retardant in epoxy resin

Preparation and characterization of a novel microcapsule-type latent curing agent for epoxy resin

Polyhydroxyurethane bearing silicone backbone was prepared by polyaddition of silicone diamines with a bifunctional five-membered cyclic carbonate prepared from the corresponding diepoxide and CO2. Polymerization in propylene glycol methyl ether acetate proceeded smoothly, and polymers could be obtained in high yields under appropriate conditions. The introduced silicone moieties improved the hydrophobicity and lowered the glass transition temperature keeping thermal stability. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1113–1118

Synthesis and properties of polyhydroxyurethane bearing silicone backbone

Novel silicon-modified phenolic novolac resins: Non-isothermal curing kinetics, and mechanical and thermal properties of their biofiber-reinforced composites

Novel silicone aliphatic amine curing agent for epoxy resin: 1,3-Bis(2-aminoethylaminomethyl) tetramethyldisiloxane. 2. Isothermal cure, and dynamic mechanical property

Novel silicon-modified phenolic novolacs and their biofiber-reinforced composites: Preparation, characterization and performance

Novel silicone–phenyl contained amine curing agent for epoxy resin: 1. Non-isothermal cure and thermal decomposition

Polyolefin thermoplastic elastomers (TPE-Os) are high-performance polyolefins consisting of both plastic and rubber phases. Compared with other thermoplastic elastomers, the TPE-Os possess better chemical stability, transparency, re-processability, and electrical insulation, which renders their broad applications possible. By manipulating chain structures and topologies of the TPE-Os, differently structured polyolefins with improved thermal and mechanical properties have been developed, including ethylene and α-olefin random copolymers (POEs), olefin block copolymers (OBCs), comb-shaped polyolefin elastomers (CPOEs), and dynamically cross-linked polyolefin elastomers. Herein, we review the synthesis of the POE, OBC, CPOE, and dynamical cross-linked polyolefin elastomer, including the catalyst systems, polymerization techniques, processes, and kinetic modelling. The characterization of the TPE-Os and the relationships between the TPE-O chain structure, aggregated state, and product performance are discussed. The future development of higher-performance TPE-Os is envisaged. 

Jijiang Hu

Papers

Novel silicon-modified phenolic novolac resins: Non-isothermal curing kinetics, and mechanical and thermal properties of their biofiber-reinforced composites

Novel silicone aliphatic amine curing agent for epoxy resin: 1,3-Bis(2-aminoethylaminomethyl) tetramethyldisiloxane. 2. Isothermal cure, and dynamic mechanical property

Novel silicon-modified phenolic novolacs and their biofiber-reinforced composites: Preparation, characterization and performance

Novel silicone–phenyl contained amine curing agent for epoxy resin: 1. Non-isothermal cure and thermal decomposition

Synthesis and Characterization of Polyolefin Thermoplastic Elastomers, A Review