Toughening of thermoset resins

While thermoset resins exhibit excellent chemical and thermal resistance, one major drawback is their relatively brittle nature in neat resin or glass reinforced laminates.  In 2004, several techniques to improve the neat resin toughness of phenolic and epoxy resins were investigated, including the use of vegetable oil-based derivatives such as glycerol and cardanol.  This fundamental work is expected to lead to the development of thermoset resins and  laminates prepared with modified thermoset resins with improved mechanical performance, which will in turn lead to new commercial opportunities for epoxy and phenolic based products at the CEEFC.

Project funding

CEEFC internal project

Project investigator

Dr Francisco Cardona