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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
09:06
Evaluation of the Curing of Adhesive Systems by Rheological and Thermal Testing
Published on: July 3, 2020
Rosin-derived imide-diacids as epoxy curing agents for enhanced performance.
Xiaoqing Liu1, Wenbo Xin, Jinwen Zhang
1Composite Materials and Engineering Center, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
Bioresource Technology
|December 8, 2009
Summary
New rosin-based imide-diacids show promise as eco-friendly epoxy curing agents. These bio-based compounds significantly enhance thermal and mechanical properties compared to petroleum-derived alternatives.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Epoxy resins are versatile thermosetting polymers widely used in various industries.
- Current epoxy curing agents are often derived from petroleum-based sources, raising environmental concerns.
- Rosin, a natural resin, offers a renewable alternative for chemical synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate novel rosin-based imide-diacids as potential epoxy curing agents.
- To compare the performance of rosin-based curing agents against a trimellitic anhydride-based counterpart.
- To explore the potential of bio-based materials in replacing petroleum-derived compounds in epoxy formulations.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of two rosin-based imide-diacids and one trimellitic anhydride-based imide-diacid.
- Confirmation of chemical structures using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ((1)H NMR) and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.
- Curing of a commercial epoxy resin with the synthesized diacids, analyzed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
- Evaluation of thermal stability, tensile strength, and dynamic mechanical properties of the cured epoxy systems.
Main Results:
- Rosin-based imide-diacids effectively cured epoxy resins.
- The cured epoxies using rosin-based agents exhibited significantly higher glass transition temperatures (Tg) compared to the trimellitic anhydride-based system.
- Enhanced tensile and dynamic mechanical properties were observed for epoxies cured with rosin-based imide-diacids.
- The synthesized compounds demonstrated good thermal stability.
Conclusions:
- Rosin-based imide-diacids are effective and high-performing epoxy curing agents.
- These bio-based curing agents offer superior thermal and mechanical properties over traditional petroleum-based alternatives.
- Rosin acids present a viable and sustainable pathway for developing next-generation epoxy curing agents, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
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