EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF LIMONENE DIOXIDE INCORPORATION ON THE THERMAL, MECHANICAL AND DYNAMIC MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF DGEBA EPOXIDE
bio epoxy, limonene dioxide, thermal characterization
This study aims at evaluating the influence of incorporating different amounts of limonene dioxide (LDO), 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 wt%, into a commercial epoxy resin based on bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA), using an anhydride as hardener. The samples were prepared by casting into a silicone mold, cured, and post-cured in an oven. The samples containing 20 to 60 wt% of LDO presented Tg values close to that of the DGEBA resin. there was a decrease in thermal stability with increasing LDO content. Furthermore, an unreacted oxirane ring was present in the samples containing LDO. Thus, although it is still necessary to adjust the curing conditions, it can be concluded that there is potential for the partial replacement of commercial epoxy resin with limonene dioxide up to 60 wt%.