High performance epoxy soybean oil-based composite reinforced by wood powder

A novel bio-based composite, called the ESO-1,6-hexanediamine-ADP-wood (EHAW) composite, was created using epoxy soybean oil (ESO), 1,6-hexanediamine, and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) co-condensed resin as matrix and wood powder as aggregate. The cross-linking was achieved through the ring opening polymerization of 1,6-hexanediamine and ESO, which was then esterified and condensed with ADP to form a network structure. The effects of mass ratio of wood powder to soybean oil-hexamethylene diamine-ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (EHA) resin on the performance of the composite were investigated. The mass ratio of wood powder to EHA resin was 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75, respectively. The results revealed that composite with the wood powder/EHA resin of 0.5 (EHAW2) had the best performance indicates by its smooth and uniform distribution under SEM observations. In addition, EHAW2 showed better Brinell hardness, compressive strength, UV resistance as well as water absorption properties than the other two ratios. It also showed better thermal conductivity and flame retardancy. The total heat released during combustion is low, and there are no collapse and shape change during the combustion process, making it an ideal material for building applications.