Mechanical and thermal degradation behavior of high-performance PDMS elastomer based on epoxy/silicone hybrid network

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 236; p. 124299
• Main Authors: Wang, Yuan, Cai, Yuanbo, Zhang, Hao, Zhou, Ji, Zhou, Shengtai, Chen, Yang, Liang, Mei, Zou, Huawei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 30.11.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Ablative materials; Elastomers; Elongation; Epoxy; Heat resistance; High temperature; Hydrosilylation; Infrared analysis; Mechanical properties; PDMS elastomer; Polydimethylsiloxane; Protective coatings; Shear strength; Silicone resins; Silicones; Tensile strength; Thermal degradation; Thermal degradation analysis; Thermodynamic properties; Epoxy; PDMS elastomer; Thermal degradation analysis
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.124299

In this study, the high-performance PDMS elastomer was successfully prepared by constructing epoxy/silicone hybrid network through hydrosilylation and epoxide-opening reaction. The tensile strength, elongation at break and shear strength of the prepared hybrid material were increased by 200.0%, 59.6%, 140.6% respectively when compared with the pure PDMS. The thermal residual weight of the hybrid material at 800 °C in N2 was kept at 56.9%. The thermal degradation mechanism of hybrid material was investigated through TG-IR analysis. Friedman technique was used to compute the kinetic parameters of degradation reaction. Meanwhile, the composition and structure of residual char of hybrid material after thermal degradation at 800 °C was systematically characterized. Results indicated that the high-performance PDMS elastomer with excellent thermal and mechanical properties was expected to be applied in many prospects such as thermal protective coating, high temperature resistant adhesive and ablative material matrix. [Display omitted] •A novel epoxy/silicone hybrid network was constructed.•Mechanical and adhesive properties of the hybrid materials were improved.•Thermal properties of the hybrid materials were maintained at a high level.•Thermal degradation mechanism of hybrid material was discussed in detail.•Thermal degradation residual char of hybrid material was studied in detail.