journal article·2026-02-06Open access

Fabrication and Curing Kinetics of Thermal Insulation Material Suitable for Deep-Earth Extreme Environments

Jianping Yang, Haishu Bai, Zhiqiang He, Bo Yu, Zijie Wei, Ling Chen, Shaoshuai Shi

Applied Sciences· Volume 16· Issue 3

Abstract

In the extreme high-temperature (up to 150 °C) and high-pressure (up to 140 MPa) conditions of deep in situ condition-preserved coring devices, high-strength epoxy resin was selected as the insulation layer. The non-isothermal DSC method was employed at heating rates of 2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C/min, revealing that increasing the heating rate elevates curing temperatures, expands the curing range, and enhances curing rate and heat release. The curing kinetics were modeled using n-order and autocatalytic approaches, with the latter accurately describing the behavior. Optimized integration process conditions (80 °C/4 h + 150 °C/2 h + 180 °C/3 h) yielded epoxy with compressive strength of 204.47 MPa, initial thermal decomposition temperature of 345.9 °C, thermal conductivity of 0.246 W/m·K, and Tg of 193.04 °C (storage modulus 2.41 GPa at 150 °C). As insulation, it reduces rock core heat loss by 32.38% (8.78 × 104 J) and active heating demand by 44 W, enhancing system stability for in situ temperature preservation.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Polymer Nanocomposites and Properties · Aerogels and thermal insulation · Epoxy Resin Curing Processes

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China

State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China

Institute of Deep Earth Sciences and Green Energy, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China

School of Mechanical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China

College of Water Resource & Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China

School of Future Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China

Funding

the Coal-Major Project · Ministry of Education of China · China Postdoctoral Science Foundation · National Key Research and Development Program of China · State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering

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