Frontal Cationic Curing of Epoxy Resins

We studied the frontal curing of trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether (TMPTGE) using two BF(3)-amine initiators and two fillers, kaolin and fumed silica. In the case of kaolin, the range of concentrations allowing for frontal polymerization to propagate was dependent on its heat absorption effect whereas in the case of silica it was a consequence of the rheological features of this additive. However, for both systems the velocity and front temperature show the same trends; in all cases front velocities were on the order of 1 cm/min with front temperatures about 200 degrees C. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2000-2005, 2010