Micro- and Nanostructured Epoxy/Rubber Blends

Temperature Conclusions and Outlooks MANUFACTURE OF EPOXY RESIN/LIQUID RUBBER BLENDS Introduction Comparison of Hardeners Rubber-Toughened Epoxy Resins Cure Reaction Analysis Conclusions CURUE AND CURE KINETICS OF EPOXY-RUBBER SYSTEMS Introduction Cure Analysis Curing KineticsKinetics Analysis Autocatalytic Model Activation Energies Dynamic Kinetics Methods Isothermal Methods Diffusion Factor Differential Scanning Calorimetry Dynamic DSC Isothermal DSC FTIR Spectroscopy Dielectric Spectroscopy Thermal Method Pressure-Volume-Temperature (PVT) Method Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and Rheological Methods Conclusions Acknowledgments THEORETICAL MODELING OF THE CURING PROCESS Introduction Modeling of the Curing Kinetics Mechanistic Approach Phenomenological Models Describing the Reaction nth-Order Model Autocatalytic Model Kamal and Sourour Model Bailleul Model Rheological Models Gel Time Model Viscosity Model Effect of Vitrification (Tg ) on the Reaction Rate Applications of the Empirical Models Conclusion PHASE-SPARATION MECHANISM IN EPOXY RESIN/RUBBER BLENDS Introduction Thermodynamics of Phase Separation Nucleation and Growth Mechanism Spinodal Decomposition Phase Separation in Uncured Epoxy Resin/Liquid Rubber Blends Phase-Separation Mechanism in Cured Blends Conclusion MORPHOLOGY ANALYSIS BY MICROSOPY TECHNIQUES AND LIGHT SCATTERING Introduction Developments of Morphology Analysis in Rubber-Modified Epoxies Optical Microscopy (OM) Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Small-Angle Light Scattering (SALS) Different Types of Morphologies Phase-Separation Morphology of Epoxy/Rubbers Blends Morphology of Hybrids Homogeneous Morphology Morphology of Toughening and Reinforcing Effects Conventional Additives Hyperbranched Polymers Conclusions Acknowledgments PRESSURE-VOLUME-TEMPARATURE (PVT) ANALYSIS Introduction Generalities on the Behavior of the Polymers Measurement Techniques PvT Measures on Epoxies RHEOLOGY OF RUBBER-TOUGHENED STRUCTURAL EPOXY RESIN SYSTEMS Introduction Epoxy Resin Chemistry Basic Epoxy Chemical Reactions Kinetics of Cure Epoxy Reactivity Modeling of the Cure Process Rheological Implication of Differences in Reactivity Modeling Rheological Behavior Connection between Rheology and Cure Rheological Studies of Cure Toughened Epoxy Resins Carboxy-Terminated Butadiene Acrylonitrile (CTBN) Polyethersulfone (PES) Nano Clay Toughening of Epoxy Resins Toughening with Nano Carbon and Silica Nano Particles Plasticization Concluding Comments Acknowledgments VISOELASTIC MEASUREMENTS AND PROPERTIES OF RUBBER-MODIFIED EPOXIES Introduction State Transitions from Liquid to Solid Viscoelasticity of Cured Materials Viscoelastic Behavior Below and Near Gel Point Liquid-Rubber-Modified Epoxies Core-Shell Rubber-Modified Epoxies Ternary Systems with Fillers Viscoelasticity of Cured Materials Dynamic Mechanical Study Dielectric Measurement Other Remarks Conclusion LIGHT, X-RAY, AND NEUTRON SCATTERING TECHNIQUES FOR MISCIBILITY AND PHASE BEHAVIOR STUDIES IN POLYMER BLENDS Introduction Brief Theoretical Considerations of Scattering Light Scattering Experiment X-ray Scattering Neutron Scattering Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) Conclusions and Future Outlook Acknowledgments MECHANICAL PROPERTIES Introduction Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Rubber-Modified Epoxies Influence of Rubber Concentration Influence of Initial Cure Temperature Influence of Curing Agent Influence of Acrylonitrile Content Influence of Strain Rate Kerner Equation Fracture Toughness Effect of Concentration on Fracture Toughness Effect of Strain Rate on Fracture Toughness Effect of Curing Agent on Fracture Toughness Conclusion THERMAL PROPERTIES Specific Heat Thermal Conductivity Main Methods of Characterization Thermal Steady-State Methods Thermal Transient Methods Classical Model to Describe Thermal Conductivity as a Function of Temperature and Degree of Cure Thermogravimetric Analysis of Rubber/Epoxy Systems Kinetic Study from TGA DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF ELASTOMERIC MODIFIED EPOXIES Introduction Dielectric Study in Rubber/Epoxy Systems Dielectric Constant Volume Resistivity (VR) Conductivity Combined Studies on Dielectric Constant, Volume Resistivity, and Conductivity Summary SPECTROSCOPY ANALYSIS OF MICRO/NANOSTRUCTURED EPOXY/RUBBER BLENDS Introduction Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman Spectroscopy DGEBA Epoxy/Rubber Blends Other Epoxy/Rubber Blends FTIR Image and Raman Spectroscopy Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Acid-Terminated Rubber/DGEBA Epoxy Blends Hydroxyl-Terminated Rubber/DGEBA Epoxy Blends Neutral Rubber/DGEBA Epoxy Blends Other Type Epoxy/Rubber Blends Other Spectroscopy Summary Abbreviations APPLICATIONS OF TOUGHENED EPOXY RESINSIntroduction Aerospace Adhesive Applications Rubber-Modified Resins Composites Epoxy Resin Modification Thermoplastic Modification Nanoparticle Modification Other Areas of Application Thermoset-Based Materials for Optical Applications Containing Azobenzene Choromophores Introduction Synthesis and Optical Properties of Cross-linked Azo Polymers Epoxy-Based Networks Urethane-Based Networks Photoaddressable Networks Containing Alkyl Compounds Conclusions COMPARISON OF EPOXY/RUBBER BLENDS WITH OTHER TOUGHENING STRATEGIES: THERMOPLASTICS AND HYPERBRANCHED MODIFIERS Epoxy/Thermoplastic Blends: Development and Properties Epoxy/Hyperbranched Polymer Blends: Development and Properties Novel Toughening Approaches for Liquid Molding Technologies Rubbers as Tougheners: Comparison with Thermoplastics and Hyperbranched Modifiers Conclusions RELIABILITY TESTING Introduction Reliability Tests Used in Micro/Nanotechnologies Behavior in Real Applications and Aging Studies of Epoxy/Rubber Blends Epoxy/Rubber Blends Used in Packaging of Active Electronic Components Molding Material Adhesives Epoxy Matrix Used in Nanocomposites Conclusions FAILURE ANALYSIS Introduction Methods for Failure Analysis of Epoxy/Rubber Blends Typical Failure Modes and Failure Mechanisms of Epoxy/Rubber Blends Used in Micro and Nanotechnologies Mechanical Damages Fracture Creep Ion Contamination Self Healing Conclusions LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT (LCA) OF EPOXY-BASED MATERIALS Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Significance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Goal and Scope Definition Life Cycle Inventory Analysis Life Cycle Impact Assessment Life Cycle Result InterpretationLife Cycle Analysis of Epoxy Systems Life Cycle Analysis of Epoxy Resins Produced Based on Propylene and Glycerin Life Cycle Analysis of Epoxy Resin Containing Carbon Nanotubes Life Cycle Assessment of Wind Turbine Blade Materials Life Cycle Assessment in Automotive Application Life Cycle Assessment in Aerospace Application Life Cycle Assessment of a Novel Hybrid Glass-Hemp/Thermoset Composite Natural Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites Conclusion Index

interests concern polymer blends, nanostructured polymers, polymer nano-composites and block polymers.He has published 40 publications in various international journals and books, 2 patents and participated in several international conferences.Raju Thomas is Vice Chancellor of Middle East University FZE, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. He received his Ph.D. under the supervision of Prof. abu Thomas, Director of International and Interuniversity Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam,Kerala, India.His research works are re ected in his six published research articles in international journals and few articles which are under review status. Also many articles are published in popular journals. He has a wide teaching experience in Chemistry for more than 32 years in Graduate and Postgraduate levels.