The thermal degradation of an amine-cured epoxide resin at temperatures between 200°C. and 310°C.

This paper describes the nonoxidative thermal degradation of an epoxide resin based on the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A crosslinked with p,p′-diaminodiphenyl methane. Temperatures of degradation lay between 200 and 310°C. and the process was followed concurrently by three means: changes in dielectric properties, changes in infrared spectra, and weight loss. Dielectric properties support the contention that there is a dehydration step during degradation. It is proposed that vacuum curing at high temperature can produce optimum crosslinking. Evidence of phenol and N-methyl aniline as degradation products is advanced, and possible degradation mechanisms are discussed.