Study on copolymers synthesized from 2,3-epoxypropyl-3-(2-furyl) acrylate – styrene and their glass fiber reinforced composites

Abstract

Abstract 3-(2-Furyl) acrylic acid (FAA) and 2,3-epoxypropyl-3-(2-furyl) acrylate (EPFA) were synthesized. EPFA was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR) spectroscopy. Copolymerization of prepared EPFA was carried out with styrene as the comonomer, by varying the mole ratio of EPFA:styrene at different reaction times, using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator at 80°C in toluene. FAA, EPFA and copolymers were characterized by FTIR and 1HNMR spectroscopy, as well as viscosity, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and epoxy equivalent weight (EEW). Various thermal and kinetics parameters were determined and interpreted in light of the nature of the curing agent, by using two different curing systems, namely, chlorosulfonic acid (ClSO3H) at 120°C and maleic anhydride/triethanolamine (MAn/TEA) at 160°C. Mechanical and electrical properties, as well as chemical resistance of the selected glass fiber reinforced composites, were determined according to the ASTM method and discussed in light of copolymer composites.