A study about the influence of the curing process of epoxy matrix particulate composites on the glass transition temperature is presented. Aluminum particles with typical sizes ~100 mum were used in the composites. As experimental techniques, differential scanning calorimetry and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy were used. Throughout the curing process of the unfilled epoxy, a good correlation between the free volume and glass transition temperature data was found. For the composites, a non-monotonic behavior between free volume and Tg was found when the particulate volume content was increased. The results are discussed based on changes in the reticulation of the epoxy matrix during the curing process and in the interaction between the polymeric matrix and the particles in the interphase.
Epoxy; composites; glass transition; free volume
