Lifetime prediction of the epoxy system badge n=0/1,2 DCH by thermogravimetric analysis

Lifetime of the system diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (BADGE n = 0)/1,2-diamine cyclohexane (DCH) was predicted by thermogravimetric analysis. Lifetime was considered when either 5% weight loss or 5% conversion was reached. Experimental results were treated using two different methods: The first method was independent of the degradation mechanism and the second was based on the thermodegradation kinetic mechanism. The activation energy of the reaction, determined using the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method, was 148.51 kJ/mol. This value is in a good agreement with that of 144.01 kJ/mol obtained using Kissinger's method. From the experimental results, it was found that the optimum temperature of service for this material is in the range of 100-140 degrees C, at which the corresponding lifetime range is from 27 to 2633 years. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.