Biobased Epoxy Resin from Canola Oil

Epoxidized canola oil (ECO)-based thermoset epoxy resins were formulated with phthalic anhydride (PA) as the curing agent for different ratios of ECO to PA (1:1, 1:1.5, and 1:2 mol/mol) at curing temperatures of 155, 170, 185, and 200 degrees C. The gelation process of the epoxy resins and the viscoelastic properties of the systems during curing were studied by rheometry, whereas the dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of the cured resins were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry. We found that the thermomechanical properties of the resins were not strongly dependent on the curing temperature of the resin, although elevated temperatures significantly accelerated the curing process. However, an increase in the curing agent (PA) amount significantly altered both the reaction rate and the thermomechanical properties of the final resin. Thus, in the ECO/PA system, the selection of the combination of the curing temperature and the molar ratios of the curing agent could be used to design thermoset resins with unique thermomechanical properties. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40142.