Epoxy’s toughening by CO2 fixation reaction

Bifunctional epoxy resin (DGEBPA) was modified by CO2 fixation reaction in the presence of Tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) as catalyst. Cycloaliphatic component as a reactive diluent was used in order to viscosity reduction, UnModified Epoxy resin (UME) and CO2 Fixed Epoxy resin (CFME) at different amount of carbonation were cured by diethylen three amine (DETA) as curing agent, and effect of carbonation on mechanical properties was investigated. Flexural properties were investigated by 3.point bending test. Fracture toughness test showed the toughness of epoxy resin in terms of the critical-stress-intensity factor, KIC raised from 0.7 to 1.58(MPa.m1/2). A smooth and flat fracture surface morphology for UME and a rough fracture surface morphology for CFME were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).