Morphology and contact angle studies of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) modified epoxy resin blends and their glass fibre reinforced composites

N. Hameed, S. P. Thomas, R. Abraham, S. Thomas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

70 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this study, the surface characteristics of blends and composites of epoxy resin were investigated. Poly(styreneco- acylonitrile) (SAN) was used to modify diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) type epoxy resin cured with diamino diphenyl sulfone (DDS) and the modified epoxy resin was used as the matrix for fibre reinforced composites (FRP's). E-glass fibre was used as the fibre reinforcement. The scanning electron micrographs of the fractured surfaces of the blends and composites were analyzed. Morphological analysis revealed different morphologies such as dispersed, cocontinuous and phase-inverted structures for the blends. Contact angle studies were carried out using water and methylene iodide at room temperature. The solid surface energy was calculated using harmonic mean equations. Blending of epoxy resin increases its contact angle. The surface free energy, work of adhesion, interfacial free energy, spreading coefficient and Girifalco-Good's interaction parameter were changed significantly in the case of blends and composites. The incorporation of thermoplastic and glass fibre reduces the wetting and hydrophilicity of epoxy resin.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)345-355
Number of pages11
JournalExpress Polymer Letters
Volume1
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Contact angle
  • Morphology
  • Polymer composites
  • Thermosetting resins
  • Wettability

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Morphology and contact angle studies of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) modified epoxy resin blends and their glass fibre reinforced composites'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this