Chemiluminescence measurement of gel times for amine-cured epoxy resins

Abstract

The cross-linking reactions of 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulphone (DDS) with stoichiometric quantities of glycidyl ether- or tetraglycidyl amine-based epoxy resins were monitored using chemiluminescence (CL) and rheometry. It was found that, when a sample was cured isothermally in air, the CL profile increased to a maximum, then decreased again. The maximum was found to correspond well with the gel time (t gel ), as measured by rheometry. This observation is discussed in relation to the chemical reactions occurring within the material and the physical state of the matrix. The effect of impurities in DDS on the gel time of these epoxy resins is reported.