Preparation and characterization of epoxy modified with palm oil based Polyol (POBP) with different curing systems

Abstract

This research concentrates on preparation and characterization of epoxy modified with palm oil based polyol (POBP) with different curing systems. The effect of POBP is investigated with ten ratios of epoxy samples with two types of hardener which are polyamine and polyamide hardeners. In this research, POBP act as diluents to the epoxy curing systems. The results show that there is an improvement on the mechanical properties and thermal properties for both epoxy systems. For epoxy-polyamine system, it gives more stiffness to its properties meanwhile for epoxy-polyamide system POBP gives more flexibility to the epoxy system. 5 phr of POBP is the optimum amount that is needed to enhance the mechanical properties and thermal properties of both epoxy systems. Mechanical, thermal and morphological studies of the epoxy-curing systems have been done using tensile test, hardness test and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Based on the results obtained, polyamide hardener gives better properties than polyamine hardener to the epoxy system. This is because polyamide hardener has more amide group in its structure which gives better properties to the epoxy system.