Synthesis and Physicochemical Study of Multifunctional Cardo Epoxy Resin and its Jute Fiber Reinforced Silica Filled and Unfilled Composites

Multifunctional epoxy resin (EBCF) was synthesized by in situ alkali catalyzed condensation of bisphenol-C, formaldehyde and epichlorohydrin and cured using 20% tetrahydrophthalic anhydride at 100 degrees C. Cured and uncured resins were characterized by FTIR and (HNMR)-H-1 spectroscopic techniques, DSC and TGA at 10 degrees Cmin(-1) heating rate in nitrogen atmosphere. Both EBCF and EBCF-THPA followed multistep and two step fractional order decomposition kinetics, respectively. Jute-EBCF and silica filled composites have been fabricated by hand layup technique under 27.58 MPa pressure at 135 degrees C for 4h. Tensile and flexural properties are discussed in light of filler content. Chemical resistance of Jute-EBCF composite in water, acid and saline environments were studied at 35 degrees C and it is observed that it possesses excellent chemical resistance even in harsh acid and saline environments.