A study on glass fiber reinforced composites from 2,3-epoxypropyl-3-(2-furyl) acrylate and methyl methacrylate

Abstract

2,3-Epoxypropyl-3-(2-furyl) acrylate (EPFA) was synthesized from 3-(2-furyl) acrylic acid (FAA) and epichlorohydrin, followed by copolymerization of EPFA with methyl methacrylate (MMA) by varying the mole ratio of EPFA:MMA at different reaction times using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator at 80°C in toluene. The FAA, EPFA and copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR) spectroscopy, viscosity measurement, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) as well as epoxy equivalent weight (EEW). Mechanical properties, electrical properties and chemical resistance of the selected glass fiber reinforced composites were determined according to the ASTM method and discussed in light of copolymer composites.