Modification of Novel Bio-Based Resin-Epoxidized Soybean Oil by Conventional Epoxy Resin

Conventional epoxy resin (DGEBA), in varying proportion, was used to modify epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) based systems, crosslinked by phthalic anhydride. The properties of DGEBA modified ESO systems were investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis, impact testing, tensile and flexural testing, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Single loss factor tan delta peak was obtained for all of the modified systems. The results show the improvement in mechanical properties from their high crosslinking densities through the introduction of DGEBA with increase in initial degradation temperature, as obtained from thermogravimetric analysis. Results approaches to an ideal composition which gives the optimum property. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 51: 1087-1091, 2011. (C) 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers