Curing Epoxy with a Variety of Hardeners: Reaction Kinetics and Mechanical Characteristics

828 EPON Resin is mixed with varying ratios of the amine-based hardeners diethannolamine (DEA) and dibutylamine (DBA). Changing the ratio of hardeners changes the amount of hydroxyl groups available during the curing reaction. Cure kinetics at a variety of cure temperatures are measured using a TAM Air isothermal calorimeter. After curing, various material properties are measured. Yield stress and young's modulus are found through compression tests in an Instron, while the glass transition temperature, Tg, is found using a DSC Q2000.

Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc. for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.