Synthesis of tetrafunctional resorcinol-linked furfural epoxy resin and its application in high-performance composites

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This study elucidates the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of tetra-functional resorcinol-linked furfural epoxide resin (TRFE) for advanced composite applications. The resin was synthesized utilizing resorcinol, furfural, and epichlorohydrin, and characterized through FTIR, GPC, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), with an epoxy equivalent weight of 672 g/mol and a viscosity of 13,828 cP at 25°C. Fiber-reinforced composites were fabricated employing jute, glass, and carbon fibers with various hardeners: diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA), phenalkamine (PHK), and polyamide (PA). Quantitative analysis indicated that carbon fiber composites cured with polyamide exhibited the highest tensile strength of 90.3 MPa, flexural strength of 213.2 MPa, and impact resistance of 9.93 J/cm, signifying superior mechanical performance. Glass fiber composites demonstrated excellent thermal stability, retaining up to 79% of their initial mass at 1000°C. Jute composites exhibited promising performance in terms of mechanical properties and biodegradability, with tensile strength reaching up to 38.8 MPa and chemical resistance enhanced by polyamide curing. These findings demonstrate that TRFE resin, when reinforced with appropriate fibers and cured using optimized hardeners, offers significant potential for aerospace, automotive, and structural applications.