Novel epoxy resin networks with high impact strength and hardness

Novel epoxy resins with high impact strength and hardness have been synthesized by the bulk polymerization method. These materials were modified with styrene, polymethylmethacrylate, methylmethacrylate, and acrylonitrile to obtain both thermoplastic and thermosetting resins. Physical properties of the resulting mixtures were evaluated by measuring the impact strength, hardness and the degree of compression. Thermograms were used to investigate the behavior of different curing agents with resins. Comparison of results of modified epoxy resin with blank epoxy resin reveals that modified resins show remarkably high glass transition temperatures and thermal stability, as well as hardness. These materials exhibit a higher degree of solvent resistance.