Influence of cashew nutshell liquid (cnsl)-based phenalkamine on the cure kinetics and mechanical properties of epoxy resin

The curing reaction of Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol A (DGEBA) resin with phenalkamine and tetraethylene tetramine was compared using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at various heating rates. Kinetic parameters of the curing process were determined through isoconversional and Kissinger methods. The two-parameter (m, n) Sestak-Berggren autocatalytic model was identified as the most suitable for describing the kinetics of the curing agents studied. The average activation energy for the phenalkamine curing agent was 60.27 kJ/mol, compared to the minimum activation energy of 55.48 kJ/mol for tetraethylene tetramine. Additionally, the phenalkamine curing agent enhanced both the flexural and impact properties relative to tetraethylenetetramine. Keywords: Phenalkamine, Non-isothermal kinetics, Bio-based curing agent