Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as a tool for identification of the curing process of epoxy resin

Paper deals with analysis and description of the curing process of the samples made of the epoxy resin using method of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) in technique of Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR). Infrared spectra were measured on samples cured in two steps with isothermals at 93 °C and 150 °C when samples in delivered state and cured for 20, 42, 52, 60, 70, 90 and 110 minutes were analysed. Infrared spectra were recorded on Nicolet 380 spectrometer (Nicolet Instrument) using Attenuated Total Reflectance technique (ATR) with ZnSe crystal in the range of wavenumbers of 4000 - 600 cm^-1. Spectral bands of anhydride and epoxy group were used for the curing identification. The glass transition temperature was measured as a comparative parameter for the curing level investigation. On the basis of results, good applicability of the method of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for identification of un-cured samples is evident.