Shelf Life Determination of an Epoxy Resin by Accelerated Aging

摘要

The objectives of the study reported were to first define the rate and mode of degradation of an epoxy resin at two storage conditions, 4.4 exp 0 C and 25 exp 0 C, by means of a thermally accelerated aging experiment. Then, samples which had been aged the equivalent of at least 10 years at each storage condition would be tested for conformance to the material specifications. The study's results demonstrate that the commercial resin could be acquired and stored for the required 10 to 11 years without concern over degradation. The expected changes at the two storage temperatures have been defined. Aged resin samples are shown to yield an acceptable product. Sufficient data exist to predict the changes in viscosity and epoxide equivalent of the resin at any other storage temperature of interest. (ERA citation 09:017100)