Model Adherend Surface Effects on Epoxy Cure Reactions

Abstract Adherend surface effects on the amine cure of epoxy resins were investivated using finely divided aluminum oxide as high surface area models for aluminum. Calorimetric analysis of simplified crosslinking systems revealed significantly faster reactions which led to lower glass transition temperature materials for activated aluminum oxide filled samples. A monofunctional amine and epoxy were then utilized to obtain soluble reaction products amenable to molecular characterization. These studies similarly showed an increase in the rate of epoxy consumption in the presence of activated aluminum oxide which was attributed to both an increase in the rate of amine addition to epoxy as well as to epoxy homopolymerization. The latter was not observed in the unfilled mixtures. Such changes in reaction mechanism at the adherend surface have implications for the strength and durability of actual adhesive bonds. Key Words: amine cureepoxy; aluminum oxide fillerinterphasereaction modification by substrate surfaceadhesives.