2023 Volume 44 Issue 3 Pages 102-108
Differences in the properties of cured polymers from 4,4'-diglycidyloxybiphenyl (DGBP) with mesogenic structure were investigated when bifunctional and polyfunctional curing agents were used. When bifunctional phenolic compound (DHDE) was used, the molecular chains were oriented to give a crystalline cured polymer with a melting point of 247.1°C. Due to crystallization, the cured polymer had a high density (1.314 g/cm3), improved elastic modulus and decreased thermal expansion. On the other hand, when polyfunctional phenol novolac (PN) was used as the curing agent, the orientation of the molecular chains was inhibited, resulting in an amorphous cured polymer. The cured polymer had a lower density of 1.244g/cm3 and a lower modulus of elasticity, while the fracture toughness was much higher than that of the conventional epoxy cured polymer.
