ARS | Publication request: Solid Freeform Fabrication of Epoxidized Soybean Oil/epoxy Composites with Di, Tri, and Polyethylene Amine Curing Agents

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 20, 2003
Publication Date: February 20, 2004
Citation: Liu, Z., Erhan, S.Z., Calvert, P.D. 2004. Solid freeform fabrication of epoxidized soybean oil/epoxy composites with di, tri, and polyethylene amine curing agents. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 93:356-363.

Interpretive Summary: The importance of natural products for industrial applications becomes very clear with increasing social emphasis on the issues of environment, waste disposal and depleting non-renewable resources. Development of economically feasible new industrial products from vegetable oils or commercial processes is highly desirable. Among products from vegetable oils, soybean oil may constitute main raw materials because of its low cost, availability and possible biodegradability. The purpose of this work is to investigate the preparation of soybean oil/epoxy based composites. The mixture of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and epoxy resin are solidified with curing agents. The high strength and stiffness composites are formed through fiber reinforcement, such as glass, carbon and mineral fibers. The shapes of composites can be formed without molds, called solid freeform fabrication method. The influence of curing temperature, fiber loading, and two types of fibers on the mechanical properties of composites are studied.

Technical Abstract: Soybean oil/epoxy based composites are prepared by Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF) methods. SFF methods built materials by the repetitive addition of thin layers. The mixture of epoxidized soybean oil and epoxy resin is modified with di, tri, or polyethylene amine gelling agent to solidify the materials until curing occurs. The high strength and stiffness composites are formed through fiber reinforcement. E-glass, carbon and mineral fibers are used in the formulations. The type of fiber affects the properties of the composites. It was found that a combination of two types of fibers could be used to achieve higher strength and stiffness parts than can be obtained from a single fiber type. In addition, the effects of curing temperature, curing time and fiber concentration on mechanical properties of composites are studied and reported.