Title: Mechanical Characterization of Biobased and Vitrimeric Analogues of SC-79 Epoxy for Structural Panels

Authors: Jonathan Barboza, Brendan O' Toole, Nolan Manzanares, Fermin Tello, Jonathan Lazatin, Mohamed Trabia, Arunachalam Rajendran

DOI:

Abstract: This study develops and benchmarks a bio-based, co-reacted epoxy blend targeting the performance envelope of SC-15, a low-viscosity, VARTM-compatible epoxy system used for impact-resistant structural panels. Entropy Resins Super Sap® Clear Laminating Resin (CLR) (reported bio-based content ≈ 29%) was evaluated as a reactive co-resin with SC-15 Part A and cured using SC-15 Part B (cycloaliphatic amine hardener) to increase renewable carbon content while retaining key quasi-static properties. Neat SC-15 (Parts A/B) was characterized as a baseline, followed by CLR/SC-15 co-resin blends at 80:20:30 and 50:50:30 mass ratios (SC15A:CLR:SC-15B), and a CLR/SC-15B formulation. Thermomechanical response was quantified using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) for glass transition temperature (Tg), and quasi-static flexural and compressive testing to assess strength and modulus. In parallel, a preliminary dynamic covalent vitrimer analog based on ER 728, 4-aminophenyl disulfide (4APD), and TBD catalyst was formulated to explore reprocessable network behavior while approaching SC-15-class stiffness and strength; vitrimer testing is reported as flexural-only due to ongoing exotherm/process stabilization. The results establish an initial formulation pathway toward epoxy systems that improve sustainability metrics without forfeiting structural performance needed for impact-resistant panel applications.

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Conference: SAMPE 2026

Publication Date: 2026/04/27

SKU: 169

Pages: 15

Price: $30.00