l-Arginine as Bio-Based Curing Agent for Epoxy Resins: Temperature-Dependence of Mechanical Properties.

The precise characterization of new bio-based thermosets is imperative for the correct assessment of their potential as matrix material in fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Therefore, the mechanical properties of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol a (DGEBA) cured with l-arginine were investigated to determine whether the bio-based thermoset possesses the required mechanical properties for application as a matrix material. The cured thermoset is called Argopox. The mixture of amino acid and epoxy resin was prepared via three-roll milling and cured in the presence of an urea-based accelerator. The tensile, compression, flexural and toughness properties of Argopox were characterized at T=−40 ∘C, 22 ∘C and 80 ∘C to determine the temperature-dependence of the thermoset’s mechanical properties in its service temperature range. The glass transition temperature Tg was analyzed via dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and is approximately 119 ∘C. The tensile, compression and flexural strength at 22 ∘C are about 56 MPa, 98 MPa and 85 MPa, respectively. The critical stress intensity factor KIC and fracture energy GIC at 22 ∘C are roughly 1.1 MPam0.5 and 510 Jm−, respectively. Consequently, Argopox possesses mechanical properties that reach performance levels similar to that of materials which are already used as matrix for fiber reinforced composites.