Benzoxazine resin and their nanostructured composites degradation kinetic study

Abstract

Polybenzoxazines represent a new class of thermosetting phenolic resins, which have emerged in recent decades, surpassing the traditional properties of epoxy and phenolic resins applied in the aerospace industry. The polybenzoxazines associated thermal properties and flame retardancy of phenolic and mechanical properties of epoxy. Thus, polymers are considered high performance, high temperature resistance, dimensional stability, good electrical properties, high glass transition temperature, low moisture absorption, and do not require catalysts and do not generate byproducts during the cure, can be stored at ambient. Within this context, polybenzoxazines resins are excellent candidates to replace existing thermoset matrix composites used in obtaining high performance, both reinforced with carbon fibers and with nanoscale structures. The incorporation of low mass concentration of carbon nanotube (CNT) in polymer matrices can produce structural materials with superior properties. Accordingly, in order to evaluate the thermal stability of the resin and theirs benzoxazines nanostructured composites, this project aims to study the kinetics of degradation these materials by thermogravimetry. Thus, the benzoxazines neat resin and nanostructured composites with weigth concentrations of 0.1%, 0.5% and 1.0% (w/w) will be evaluated by thermogravimetry tests on different heating rates and kinetic models of degradation will be established based on the data generated. It is intended to understand the thermal behavior of the new benzoxazines resin and if the introduction of CNT in the polymer matrix affects the behavior of degradation. (AU)