Evaluation of Reaction Kinetics and Properties of Epoxy Resin with Two Hardeners

Elias George K, Dr. A. Mathiazhagan

Abstract: Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a useful tool used to measure the heat flow into or out of a sample, when the sample is exposed to a controlled thermal profile. DSC offers both quantitative and qualitative data about material transitions like crystallization, glass transition, melting, curing and decomposition. In this study the curing of one resin with two hardeners were being studied using DSC. The activation energy and rate of reaction were evaluated. The conversion time at different temperatures were evaluated and compared.

Keywords: Epoxy resin, hardener, rate of reaction, half life, rate constant, kinetic study