Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Poly(Styrene-Co-Glycidyl Methacrylate) as Reactive Diluents to Epoxy Resin

Anticorrosion coatings are specialized products designed to protect metal surfaces from costly and dangerous corrosion, acting as barriers against corrosive organisms. Therefore, this study examined the physical and mechanical properties of epoxy resin in the presence of reactive diluents. Reactive diluents were synthesized based on styrene (St) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) through the free radical method using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as a catalyst with various feed ratios of St and GMA. Diluents were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). Epoxy resins and hardener were at a ratio of 1:1, 1:0.5, and 1:0.3, respectively. The results showed that reactive diluents [Poly(St-co-GMA)] had an excellent dilution effect on epoxy resin with a decrease in epoxy resin viscosity from 8592 mPa-s to 1656, 680, and 430 mPa-s. Furthermore, the adhesion, tensile, and hardness properties contained 70% GMA and 30% St at a hardener ratio of 1:0.3. The increase in the mechanical properties was attributed to the reaction between modified epoxy resins with hardener.