Review of Curing Kinetics of Epoxy Nanocomposites in the Presence of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

Thermoset nanocomposites, due to their strength and special physical and mechanical properties compared to metal materials, are widely used in the manufacture of household appliances, electrical appliances, coatings and sports equipment, and sanitary wares. The thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites depend on the adhesion between the nanoparticles and matrix. Also, designing high quality and efficient epoxy nanocomposites with suitable physical and mechanical properties requires understanding the phenomena that occur during the curing reaction. The reaction of epoxy resin and curing agent as well as the study of curing kinetics play an important role in controlling the deformation of the structure and physical and mechanical properties of the composites. Investigating the dispersion of nanoparticles and selecting the appropriate mixing method can improve the curing reaction or crosslinking of epoxy nanocomposites. It can also prevent the agglomeration of nanoparticles, that affect thermal reactions. Modified iron oxide nanoparticles reduce the reaction activation energy and the curing time. Reaction time and temperature are two important factors for evaluating chemical curing reactions. Modeling analysis of curing kinetics of epoxy nanocomposites is a solution to overcome the problems of thermal reactions that occur during the curing reactions. In this paper, the curing kinetics modeling of epoxy nanocomposites and the effect of adding modified and unmodified iron oxide nanoparticles on the amount of activation energy, curing index, and rheological, mechanical and thermal properties are introduced.

Keywords

• nanoparticles
• iron oxide
• epoxy resin
• curing kinetics
• modeling