A Novel Rare Earth Enhanced Epoxy Composites: Mechanical Properties, Thermal Stability and Curing Kinetics

• Published in: Polymer science. Series B 2024-04, Vol.66 (2), p.201-212
• Main Authors: Junwei Li, Lu, Wenxue, Yang, Dan, Jia, Yanzhen, Su, Haobo, Deng, Jialing, Gong, Zuo, Zhao, Yongke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analog computers; Analyzers; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Curing; Enthalpy; Epoxy resins; Flexural strength; Gadolinium oxides; Glass transition temperature; Heating; Kinetics; Mechanical properties; Nanocomposites; Polymer Sciences; Rare earth compounds; Rare earth oxides; Tensile properties; Tensile strength; Thermal stability
• ISSN: 1560-0904; 1555-6123
• DOI: 10.1134/S1560090424600529

The curing kinetics of the epoxy resin/nano rare earth oxides system were studied by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry. Curing reaction occurred with DSC thermal analyzers at heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 K/min, respectively. Data on enthalpy changes during heating were collected. The kinetic parameters and curing temperature of the curing reaction of the epoxy resin/ nano rare earth oxides system were calculated by Kissinger–Ozawa, Crane method and T-β extrapolation method. The results showed that the rare earth compounds reduced the activation energy of the epoxy resin curing reaction, but did not change the curing mechanism of the epoxy resin. Studies on the influence of sample fracture morphology showed that the introduction of nano rare earth compounds plays an important role in improving the tensile properties of nanocomposites. When the 1% weight component of nano Gd 2 O 3 was added to the composite, the tensile strength of the composite increased by 65.18%, the flexural strength and modulus increased by 57.92 and 70.04%, respectively, and the glass transition temperature increased by 17.55°C.