Properties of a Novel Siloxane-containing Epoxy Resin
To fabricate self-organized gradient material using bisphenol-A epoxy resin (E51) and siloxane, the properties of a novel synthesized siloxane-containing epoxy resin (SE) were investigated in advance. It is found that SE behaves like Newtonian fluid at low shear rates, while like non-Newtonian fluid at high shear rates. Similar to E51, SE is soluble in most solvents. Although curing process of two epoxy resins submits to first-order reaction kinetics, curing activity of SE is higher slightly. Contrary to the cured E51, the cured SE is hydrophobic and characterized by ductile fracture. It is also observed that the cured SE is more stable in thermal decomposition than the cured E51.