Foaming of aliphatic polyester using chemical blowing agent

Poly(butylene adipate‐co‐succinate) (PBAS), a saturated aliphatic polyester cured by dicumyl peroxide (DCP), was prepared and the viscoelastic property was investigated. The viscosity of crosslinked PBAS increased, and it exhibited rubbery behavior as the content of curing agent was increased. The results suggested that the viscosity and elasticity of PBAS could be regulated by adding a small amount of DCP; hence, the processibility could be improved. Prior to foaming, a proper formulation of blowing agent (blowing agent/urea activator = 100:8 phr) was examined to prepare expanded PBAS foam. Low‐density PBAS expanded foams were prepared using a chemical blowing agent and DCP. The effect of the foaming temperature, additive content, and curing agent content on the blowing ratio and morphology of expanded PBAS foams was investigated. A closed‐cell structure PBAS foam of high blowing ratio (density about 0.05 g/cm³) could be obtained by adding 3 phr DCP. To manufacture expanded PBAS foam under 0.1 g/cm³ using a chemical blowing agent, the storage modulus of the matrix polymer should exceed the loss modulus by enough to stabilize growing bubbles. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2443–2454, 2001     

Cell morphology,bubbles migration,and flexural properties of non‐uniform epoxy foams using chemical foaming agent

Epoxy foams with different densities and microstructures were prepared by changing the process parameters including the foaming temperature, chemical foaming agent (CFA) content and precuring extent. The microstructure of foams reveals a smaller cell size, higher cell density, and more homogeneous distribution of cells at higher precuring extent. However, the cell size and distribution are not affected by the foaming temperature and CFA content without precuring process. In addition, the bubbles migration, which resulted in non‐uniform cell density distribution, was promoted by increasing the foaming temperature and depressed by increasing the CFA content and precuring extent. The flexural properties of the non‐uniform epoxy foams were also studied. Results showed that the flexural modulus was related to the cell morphology, while the flexural strength was affected by both the cell morphology and the position of the specimens during test. It was also found that the relative flexural modulus and strength exhibited a power‐law dependence with respect to the relative density. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41175.     

Characterization of epoxy foams

Epoxy foams were prepared from the commercial system (LY 5054 epoxy resin, HY 5054 amine as curing agent, and DY 5054 siloxane as foaming agent) supplied by Ciba‐Geigy. From the differential scanning calorimeter results the optimal epoxy–amine ratio was determined. A maximum T_g∞ value of 85°C was found for an epoxy–amine ratio of 100:35 by weight. In this system, the siloxane reacts with the amine releasing hydrogen that acts as the real foaming agent. The density decreased from 490 to 215 kg/m³ as the epoxy:blowing agent ratio increased from 100:1 to 100:3 by weight of the reactive mixture. Under the synthesizing conditions, the glass transition temperature (T_g∞) of the foam did not vary significantly as the blowing agent increased. The modulus and compressive strength of the foam exhibited a power‐law dependence with respect to density of the form: E∝(ρ)ⁿ, where n=1.8. Scanning electron microscopy analysis verified that the foam have a closed cell structure. The relation between composition, final morphology, density, and properties of the foam was analyzed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2992–2996, 2003     

Application of azodiisobutyronitrile and azobisisoheptonitrile in low‐density unsaturated polyester resin manufacturing

Low‐density unsaturated polyester resin (LDUPR) is an extended application of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) material. In this study, azodiisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and azobisisoheptonitrile (ABVN) were presented as composite foaming agents and as initiators in LDUPR manufacturing. On the basis of the kinetics of AIBN and ABVN, their optimum half‐lives (t_1/2's) for LDUPR were both 1.0 h. In this study, the mass ratio of AIBN and ABVN was chosen at 7:3, and the preferred amount of the composite foaming agent was 2 wt % resin. They were treated at a molding temperature of 78.7 ± 1.0°C. The obtained LDUPR had an apparent density of 0.37 ± 0.01 g/cm³ and a specific compression strength of 35.58 ± 1.50 MPa·g^?1·cm^?3; it approached the highest specific compression strength value of rigid polyurethane foam (28–35 MPa g^?1 cm^?3). A dual‐initiation and dual‐foaming mechanism based on the dual‐exothermic decomposition properties of the composite foaming agent was proposed with the support of the differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy results. In the first stage, ABVN decomposed, released bubble nuclei, and initiated UPR cross‐polymerization. The bubble nuclei spread in the resin glue and grew. In the second stage, the gas in resin glue was enriched by the AIBN decomposition. The gelation time of the resin glue was influenced by AIBN and delayed. With the curing of resin, more bubbles grew up, took shape, and were retained in the UPR matrix. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40238.     

Elongational behavior of epoxy during curing

Elongational behavior of epoxy (epoxy/curing agent = 100/0.5, w/w) cured at various conditions over the critical gelation time was investigated. Dynamic viscoelastic measurements of the epoxy system were performed and the critical gelation time of epoxy was determined according to the frequency dependence of G′ and G″ proposed by Winter and Chambon. Elongational behavior of epoxy cured for various times were measured. Epoxy, cured over the critical gelation time, showed strain hardening and elongational behavior similar to a crosslinked rubber. Increase of elongational viscosity of the sample occurred early, and the sample broke at small strain as curing time increased. The effect of strain rate on the elongational stress of epoxy cured near the critical gelation time was measured at various strain rates. For epoxy cured for critical gelation time only, high stress at a small strain rate was represented as strain rate increased. When increasing curing time further, the tensile stress converged on a single curve regardless of strain rate, and samples broke at nearly the same stress and strain. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Effect of precured degrees on morphology,thermal, and mechanical properties of BR/SBR/NR foams

The ternary composites of 1,4‐cis polybutadiene rubbers (BR), styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR), and natural rubber (NR) foams containing chemical blowing agents Oxybis (benzene sulfonyl) hydrazide (OBSH) were prepared by two‐stage compression molding technique with various precured degrees. Foam force rheometer indicated that the cure rate was match with foaming rate at precured degree of 30%, which the time of the maximum foaming rate was earlier only 14 s than that of the maximum cure rate. SEM presented that the number of cell was denser at precured degree of 30% than those with other precured degrees. The average cell size declined, cell wall thickness became thicker, and cell distribution became narrower just as precured degree was increasing. The results of crosslinking density was measured by equilibrium swelling technique in good agreement with that of magnetism resonance crosslinking density spectrometer measurement, which crosslinking density was increased as precured degrees increased. Differential scanning calorimeter showed that each curve exhibits two steps in heat capacity for BR/SBR/NR foams. With further increase of precured degrees, the two groups of T_gs were all shift to the higher temperature, and the area of the melting peak decreased gradually between −20°C and −40°C. TGA results demonstrated that BR/SBR/NR foams with various precured degrees obtained better thermal stability than those of non‐precured foams. The high density of polymeric foams exhibits the high mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tear strength, and elongation at break. The inflection points of density, cell density, and hardness were all appeared at precured degree of 30%. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:849–859, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Isothermal curing by dynamic mechanical analysis of three epoxy resin systems: Gelation and vitrification

Times to gelation (t_gel) and times to vitrification (t_vit) during isothermal curing for the epoxy systems diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)/1,3‐bisaminomethylcyclohexane (1,3‐BAC), tetraglycidyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM)/4‐4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS), and TGDDM/epoxy novolac (EPN)/DDS were measured at different curing temperatures. This article reports on a method to determine t_gel and t_vit by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Gelation was determined at the onset of the storage modulus or by the peak of the loss factor. Vitrification was defined as the curve of the storage modulus as the curve reached a constant level (endset) in DMA tests. The experimental values obtained for t_gel and t_vit were compared with values obtained by other experimental methods and with theoretical values (t_gel's) or indirect determinations (t_vit's). From kinetic analysis by differential scanning calorimetry, conversions corresponding to gelation were obtained for the three systems; this yielded a constant value for each system that was higher than theoretical value. Values of the apparent activation energies of the DGEBA/1,3‐BAC, TGDDM/DDS, and TGDDM/EPN/DDS epoxy systems were obtained from plots of t_gel's against reciprocal temperatures. They were 53.2, 58.2, and 46.5 kJ/mol, respectively. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 78–85, 2002     

Epoxy–carbon black composite foams with tunable electrical conductivity and mechanical properties: Foaming improves the conductivity

In this study, conductive epoxy foams with different carbon black (CB) contents were fabricated with expandable microspheres as foaming agents. The effect of the CB content, microsphere concentration, precuring time, and foaming temperature on the electrical conductivity and compressive properties of the obtained foams were investigated systematically. The differential scanning calorimeter and rheological tests confirmed that the CB accelerated the curing reaction, increased the onset viscosity of the epoxy blend during foaming, and affected the foaming process. In addition, all of the parameters, including the CB content, microsphere concentration, precuring time, and foaming temperature, were confirmed to change the foam structures and further change the conductivity and mechanical properties. The electrical properties test revealed that the foaming process improved the conductivity of the composites. On the basis of the electrical properties test results and scanning electron microscope images, a flow‐induced CB aggregation mechanism is presented, in which the thermally triggered microsphere expansion pushed the resins away, squeezed the CB together, and changed the CB distribution throughout the foams. This made more conductivity paths. The obtained foam could just be used as an antistatic material, but it gave us an example for exploring lightweight and low‐cost conductive epoxy foams with other applications, for example, electromagnetic shielding. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45071.     

Investigation of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) foaming process using blowing agent by rheological and morphological methods

The effects of a chemical blowing agent (CBA) or an encapsulated physical blowing agent (PBA) on morphological development in ethylene octene copolymer (EOC) matrix using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as a curing agent were investigated by rheological, mechanical, and morphological methods. Temperature ramp tests were carried out to understand curing and foaming processes. Curing temperature (T_cure) was determined as the crossover temperature where storage modulus G′ coincided with loss modulus G′′ in the rheological point of view. For the CBA, T_cure increased with increasing CBA concentration, whereas for the PBA, T_cure decreased with increasing PBA concentration. Other critical temperatures T_1st, T_2nd by foaming process were determined using the axial normal force. With these critical temperatures (T_cure, T_1st, T_2nd), curing and foaming mechanisms can be estimated. Simultaneously, volume expansions of samples were observed with camera. Morphology and mechanical analysis were conducted on fully cured and foamed ECP (is defined as EOC with DCP) with blowing agent. ECP with the CBA exhibited an irregular open-cell structure, whereas when produced using the PBA, it formed a regular closed-cell structure. Specific tensile strength tended to increase with increasing PBA concentration but as blowing agent concentration increased elongation at break decreased. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47358.     

Epoxy network structure effect on physical aging behavior

Using dicyandiamide as curing agent, several epoxy networks are formed with different formulations and curing cycles. Both sub-T_g isothermal enthalpy relaxation and dynamic enthalpy relaxation in transition zone have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The isothermal enthalpy relaxation rates of all epoxy networks are quite similar and in good agreement with Arrhenius' law. Nevertheless, dynamic relaxation behaviors in the transition zone are very different. These observations are discussed in connection with relaxation mechanism and chemical structure of the networks. Evolutions of mechanical properties during sub-T_g annealing are monitored by means of three-points bending tests. The ductility of unprecured epoxy networks decreases with time; otherwise, the precured and/or filled networks present a stability with regards to mechanical properties. Explanations for these phenomena take into account a possible competition between the relaxation of residual stresses and the network structural relaxation.     

Construction of improved isothermal TTT cure diagram based on an epoxy–amine thermoset

Cure degree plays a pivotal role in determining the final properties of thermosetting resin, while the parameter cannot be visually presented by the classic isothermal time–temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram. An improved isothermal TTT cure diagram is built for an epoxy–amine thermoset with the visual relationship between temperature, time, and cure degree during the whole curing. As for the improved isothermal TTT cure diagram, the curing surface and the gelation plane were developed using Vyazovkin method and rheological analysis in turn, and the variation between glass transition temperature (T _g) and curing degree was described by Dibenedetto's equation. The obtained improved isothermal TTT diagram of epoxy–amine thermoset was constructed by the combination of calorimetric and rheological analysis. The fitting results of vitrification surface and gelation plane obtained via improved isothermal TTT diagram were in good agreement with experimental results. In addition, the experimental gelation curve of epoxy–amine thermoset is directly linked to the steepest location of curing surface. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47279.     

Effect of SiO2 on rheology,morphology, thermal,and mechanical properties of high thermal stable epoxy foam

A series of highly thermostable epoxy foams with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A and bisphenol‐S epoxy resin (DGEBA/DGEBS), 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) as curing agent have been successfully prepared through a two‐step process. Dynamic and steady shear rheological measurements of the DGEBA/DGEBS/DDS reacting mixture are performed. The results indicate all samples present an extremely rapid increase in viscosities after a critical time. The gel time measured by the crossover of tan δ is independent of frequency. The influence of SiO₂ content on morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of epoxy foams has also been investigated. Due to the heterogeneous nucleation of SiO₂, the pore morphology with a bimodal size distribution is observed when the content of SiO₂ is above 5 wt %. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) reveals that pure epoxy foam possesses a high glass transition temperature (206°C). The maximum of specific compressive strength can be up to 0.0253 MPa m³ kg^?1 at around 1.0 wt % SiO₂. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40068.     

Change of viscoelastic properties of epoxy resin in the curing process

This paper is concerned with the relation between the time and temperature dependences of the flexural properties and the curing conditions for the bisphenol A-type epoxy resin with acid anhydride hardener. Relaxation moduli of epoxy resin, prepared at several curing temperatures and times, were measured in the temperature range from T_g ?70°C to T_g. The master curves of relaxation modulus for the epoxy resin could be constructed, using their thermorheological simple properties. The time–temperature shift factors of the epoxy resin could be approximately expressed by the Arrhenius equation with the activation energy 59.4 kcal/mole. independent of its curing conditions. The curing time and temperature were equivalent, that is, the short curing time at high temperature corresponded to the long curing time at low temperature. The curing time–temperature shift factor could be approximately expressed by the Arrhenius equation with the activation energy 21.3 kcal/mole, which was higher than the activation energy 14.2 kcal/mole obtained in the measurements of gel times. The increase in the values shows that the temperature dependences of reaction rates increase with progressing gelation.     

The boron trifluoride monoethyl amine complex cured epoxy resins

The curing exotherm pattern is affected by the equivalent ratio of curing agent, boron trifluoride monoethylamine complex (BF₃ · MEA), to epoxy resin. The diglycidyl ether of 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) fluorene (DGEBF) cures more slowly than the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (Epon 828). The glass transition temperatures (T_g's) of BF₃ · MEA cured Epon 828 are increased with inceasing concentration of curing agent (0.0450–0.1350 eq.) cured DGEBF. The activation energies for the thermal decomposition for BF₃ · MEA (0.0450–0.1350 eq.) cured DGEBF. The activation energies for the thermal decomposition for BF₃ · MEA (0.0450 eq./epoxy eq.) cured Epon 828 and DGEBF are almost equivalent 43 and 44 kcal/mol, respectively. DGEBF when added to DGEBA improves the T_g and char yield with the BF₃ · MEA curing system. The T_g of both resin systems can be increased by longer post cure, whereas the char yield does not appear to change significantly. No ester group formation is found for the BF₃ · MEA-cured DGEBF, although this has been previously reported for the DGEBA system. The BF₃ · MEA cure at 120°C is better than at 140°C because of vaporization and degradation of the curing agent at the higher temperature. The rapid gelation of the epoxy resin may be another reason for the lower degree of cure at high temperature.     

Curing Kinetics and Effects of Fibre Surface Treatment and Curing Parameters on the Interfacial and Tensile Properties of Hemp/Epoxy Composites

The curing kinetics of neat epoxy (NE) and hemp fibre/epoxy composites was studied and assessed using two dynamic models (the Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa Models) and an isothermal model (the Autocatalytic Model) which was generally supported by the experimental data obtained from dynamic and isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) scans. The activation energies for the curing of composites exhibited lower values compared to curing of NE which is believed to be due to higher nucleophilic activity of the amine groups of the curing agent in the presence of fibres. The highest tensile strength, σ was obtained with composites produced with an epoxy to curing agent ratio of 1:1 and the highest Young's modulus, E was obtained with an epoxy to curing agent ratio of 1:1.2. Alkali treated hemp fibre/epoxy (ATFE) composites were found to have higher σ and E values compared to those for untreated hemp fibre/epoxy (UTFE) composites which was consistent with the trend for interfacial shear strength (IFSS) values. Composites σ and E were found to be higher for a processing temperature of 70°C than for 25°C for both UTFE and ATFE composites, but were found to decrease as the curing temperature was increased further to 120°C.     

Rheological behavior of two- and three-phase fiber suspensions

The rheology of two polyamide 6.6 systems filled with long glass fibers, as well as at of a three-phase polyamide 6.6-glass fiber-gas bubble system, was studied using capillary rheometry, To investigate the influence of fiber concentration, the shear and extensional viscosities were determined for both 30 and 40 vol% fiber filled suspensions as well as for the base polymer. Comparison revealed a modest increase in both the shear and extensional viscosities with increased fiber fraction. The shear viscosities, η_s, of both suspensions are shown to be close to one order of magnitude greater than the base matrix fluid viscosity, η. However, the extensional viscosities, η_E, of the suspensions are determined to be approximately four orders of magnitude greater than the shear viscosity of the matrix fluid for strain rates from 10⁰ s⁻¹ to 10² s⁻¹. The addition of a gas bubble phase to the neat polymer and polymer-fiber suspensions was accomplished through the decomposition of various percentages of an azodicarbonamide blowing agent. The presence gas bubbles resulted in reduced shear and extensional viscosities for both the neat and fiber-filled polyamide with greater reductions observed for the neat polyamide. Greater viscosity reductions were observed as the blowing agent centration was increased.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of aminopropoxylate-cured epoxy matrices

Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether–aminopropoxylate mixtures have been characterized with respect to their viscosities in the presence and absence of butanediol diglycidyl ether (reactive diluent), and their curing patterns have been studied at room temperature with or without 2,4,6-tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol (initiator/accelerator). A priori, these mixtures are expected to provide low connectivities to infinite networks at gelation, a prediction supported by the multiple glass-transition-temperature (T_g) behaviour of their cured forms. The effect of the aminopropoxylate curing agent chemistry/functionality, and the presence or absence of accelerator and reactive diluent on the tensile and impact behaviour of cured materials, is reported. An expectation of increased importance of polymerization with increases in the initiator/accelerator levels, alongside epoxy–amine addition reactions, has not been evidenced by the mechanical measurements. For diglycidyl ether bisphenol A–aminopropoxylate epoxy systems, in the glycidyl ether/reactive hydrogen molar ratio range 0·80 (set A) to 1·95 (set B), the tensile failure mode is brittle fracture. For the set A formulations, this mode of failure persists up to reactive diluent loadings of 1·01wt% based on the weight of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether. Beyond 1·01wt% reactive diluent loadings, the set A formulations show ductile failure with yielding; the tensile toughness increases with increases in reactive diluent levels. For the set B formulations, and for all reported loading levels of reactive diluent, the castings failed in brittle fashion with pronounced cavitation and stress whitening. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis,cationic polymerization and curing reaction with epoxy resin of 3,9‐di(p‐methoxybenzyl)‐1,5,7,11‐tetra‐oxaspiro(5,5)undecane

A new spiro ortho carbonate, 3,9‐di(p‐methoxybenzyl)‐1,5,7,11‐tetra‐oxaspiro(5,5)undecane was prepared by the reaction of 2‐methoxybenzyl‐1,3‐propanediol with di(n‐butyl)tin oxide, following with carbon disulfide. Its cationic polymerization was carried out in dichloromethane using BF₃‐OEt₂ as catalyst. The [¹H], [¹³C]NMR and IR data as well as elementary analysis of the polymers obtained indicated that it underwent double ring‐opening polymerization. The polymerization mechanism is discussed. The curing reaction of bisphenol A type epoxy resin in the presence of the monomer and a curing agent was investigated. DSC measurements were used to follow the curing process. In the case of boron trifluoride‐o‐phenylenediamine (BF₃‐OPDA) as curing agent, two peaks were found on the DSC curves, one of which was attributed to the polymerization of the epoxy group, and the other to the copolymerization of the monomer with the isolated epoxy groups or homopolymerization. However, when BF₃‐H₂NEt was used as curing agent, only one peak was present. IR measurement of the modified epoxy resin with various weight ratios of epoxy resin/monomer was performed in the presence of BF₃‐H₂NEt as curing agent. The results demonstrate that the conversion of epoxy group increases as the content of monomer increases. The curing process and the structure of the epoxy resin network are discussed. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

A conductive foam: Based on novel poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene‐co‐styrene‐b‐styrene) tri‐block copolymer filled by carbon black

In this article, a conductive foam based on a novel styrene‐based thermoplastic elastomer called poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene‐co‐styrene‐b‐styrene) tri‐block copolymer S(BS)S was prepared and introduced. S(BS)S was particularly designed for chemical foaming with uniform fine cells, which overcame the shortcomings of traditional poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene‐b‐styrene) tri‐block copolymer (SBS). The preparation of conductive foams filled by the carbon black was studied. After the detail investigation of cross‐linking and foaming behaviors using moving die rheometer, the optimal foaming temperature was determined at 180°C with a complex accelerator for foaming agent. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images shown that the cell bubbles of conductive foam were around 30–50 µm. The conductivity of foams was tested using a megger and a semiconductor performance tester. SEM images also indicated that the conductivity of foams was mainly affected by the distribution of carbon black in the cell walls. The formation of the network of the carbon black aggregates had a contribution to perfect conductive paths. It also found that the conductivity of foams declined obviously with the foaming agent content increasing. The more foaming agent led to a sharp increasing of the number of cells (from 2.93 × 10⁶ to 6.20 × 10⁷ cells/cm³) and a rapid thinning of the cell walls (from 45.3 to 1.4 µm), resulting in an effective conductive path of the carbon black no forming. The conductive soft foams with the density of 0.48–0.09 g/cm³ and the volume resistivity of 3.1 × 10³?2.5 × 10⁵ Ω cm can be easily prepared in this study. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41644.     

Isothermal Cure of an Epoxy System Containing Tetraglycidyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM), a Multifunctional Novolac Glycidyl Ether and 4,4′-Diaminodiphenylsulphone (DDS): Vitrification and Gelation

Times to gelation and vitrification have been determined at different isothermal curing temperatures between 200 and 240°C for an epoxy/amine system containing both tetraglycidyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM) and a multifunctional Novolac glycidyl ether with 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulphone (DDS). The mixture was rich in epoxy, with an amine/epoxide ratio of 0·64. Gelation occurred around 44% conversion. Vitrification was determined from data curves of glass transition temperature, T_g, versus curing time obtained from differential scanning calorimetry experiments. The minimum and maximum values T_g determined for this epoxy system were T_g0=12°C and T_gmax=242°C. Values of activation energy for the cure reaction were obtained from T_g versus time shift factors, a_T, and gel time measurements. These values were, respectively, 76·2kJmol^-1 and 61·0kJmol^-1. The isothermal time–temperature–transformation (TTT) diagram for this system has been established. Vitrification and gelation curves cross at a cure temperature of 102°C, which corresponds to glass transition temperature of the gel. © of SCI.