Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) was converted to a polysoap (PESO) via a two-step synthetic procedure of catalytic ring-opening polymerization, followed by hydrolysis (HPESO) with a base. Various molecular weights of PESO and HPESO were prepared by varying the reaction temperature and/or catalyst concentration. In addition, the counter ion chemistry was varied by changing the base used for saponification. The PESO and HPESO products were carefully characterized and identified using a combination of FTIR, 1 H-NMR, solid state 13 C-NMR, and GPC. The effect of HPESO polysoaps on the surface tension of water and the interfacial tension of water-hexadecane was investigated as a function of HPESO concentration, molecular weight, and counter ion chemistry. HPESO polysoaps were effective at lowering the surface tension of water and the interfacial tension of water-hexadecane and displayed minimum values in the range of 20-24 and 12-17 dyn/cm, respectively, at concentration of 200-250 lM. Water-hexadecane interfacial tension was also calculated from measured surface tension data using the Antonoff, harmonic mean (HM), and geometric mean (GM) methods. Measured values agreed well with those calculated using the HM and GM methods, but not the Antonoff method.
Soybean oil-based composites are prepared by the solid freeforming fabrication (SFF) method. Epoxidized soybean oil is solidified with a gelling agent, and composites are formed by fiber reinforcement. Glass, carbon, and mineral fibers are used in the formulations. The type of fiber and degree of fiber alignments affect the properties of the composites. In addition, the effects of curing agents, curing temperature, fiber combination, and fiber loading on mechanical properties of composites and dynamic analysis are studied and reported.
Soybean oil/epoxy-based composites are prepared by solid freeform fabrication (SFF) methods. SFF methods built materials by the repetitive addition of thin layers. The mixture of epoxidized soybean oil and epoxy resin is modified with di-, tri-, or polyethylene amine gelling agent to solidify the materials until curing occurs. The high strength and stiffness composites are formed through fiber reinforcement. E-glass, carbon, and mineral fibers are used in the formulations. The type of fiber affects the properties of the composites. It was found that a combination of two types of fibers could be used to achieve higher strength and stiffness parts than can be obtained from a single fiber type. In addition, the effects of curing temperature, curing time, and fiber concentration on mechanical properties of composites are studied and reported.
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