Thermomechanical and morphological properties of epoxy blends with hyperbranched polyester: Effect of the pseudo-generation number

The thermomechanical and morphologicalproperties of some epoxy blends modified with hyperbranchedpolymers are reported. The effects of pseudogenerationnumbers, from the second to the fourth, werestudied. All the hyperbranched polymers used had AOHend groups. The blends were thoroughly characterized inboth the unreacted and cured states. The unreacted blends,characterized by parallel plate rheometry and hot stagemicroscopy, revealed that pseudo-generation number canhave a profound effect both on the reactivity and thephase separation behavior. Analysis of the cured sampleswas carried out through scanning electron microscopy,dynamic mechanical tests, and fracture mechanics. Theresults supported some findings obtained from the analysisof the unreacted blends; and dynamic mechanical analysishelped shed more light on the phase separationbehavior. Pseudo-generation number also influenced theglass transitions of the blends