Epoxy resin cure. II. FTIR analysis

Abstract Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is used to determine the cure rate of an epoxy resin consisting of Tetraglycidyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane (TGDDM) and diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS). Cure rates at 120 and 160°C are shown to increase noticeably when 1% BF 3 –MEA is added to either TGDDM to TGDDM plus DDS. Fluoroboric acid is shown to increase the cure rates even more than the BF 3 –MEA. These Results combined with the NMR results in the accompanying article indicate that BF 3 –MEA is not a catalyst for epoxy resin cure. Instead it is rapidly hydrolyzed to fluoroboric acid which acts as the catalyst.