Synthesis and Investigation of Thermal and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Urethane-Containing Epoxy Resins

This study aims to improve the thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy-based materials. For this purpose, the structure of epoxy resins was changed by chemical modification and epoxy resin containing urethane was synthesized. The synthesized resin was blended with commercial epoxy resin at the ratios of 25%, 50%, 75% by weight and hardened by curing. The thermal and mechanical properties of urethane-containing epoxy materials prepared in different proportions were compared with those produced from commercial epoxy resin. The structural characterization of the prepared materials was investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, their thermal behavior was investigated by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and their mechanical properties were investigated by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). TGA and DMA analyses of the materials showed that the presence of urethane in the structure of epoxy resins significantly changed the mechanical and thermal properties. It was observed that the storage and loss modulus values of urethane-containing resins increased approximately 2.5 times compared to commercial epoxy resins, and a decrease of approximately 10% in thermal degradation temperatures was observed.