No abstract

Epoxidized crambe oil and rapeseed oil were synthesized by reaction of the oils with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid. Formulating the neat epoxidized oils with epoxy-amine systems gave two-phase thermosets with epoxidized crambe oil, but not with epoxidized rapeseed oil. Glass transition temperature, mechanical properties, and fracture toughness of the epoxidized crambe oil thermoset specimen were measured. Fracture toughness values of the epoxy thermosets were increased approximately 100% by both 5 and 10% epoxidized crambe oil. Glass transition temperature and mechanical properties were affected only modestly.