Surface modification of epoxy resin by polyether–polydimethylsiloxanes–polyether triblock copolymers

In order to reduce static friction coefficient (μs), polyether–polydimethylsiloxane–polyether triblock copolymers (PER–PDMS–PER) were incorporated into epoxy resins as surface modifiers. It was found that longer PDMS segments in PER–PDMS–PER and higher modifier contents led to lower μs of modified epoxy resins upon stainless steel. The μs of silicone rubber- and PTFE-side surfaces were evidently lower than that of stainless steel-side surface. ESCA investigations indicated that a longer PDMS block in modifier resulted in a flatter PDMS gradient at surface and the degree of PDMS accumulation on PTFE- and silicone rubber-side surfaces were much higher than that on stainless steel-side surface.