A series of formulations based on
epoxidized linseed oil, ELO cured
with various anhydride hardeners, were investigated to assess the
potential for enhanced elastic properties and thermal transitions
through variations in catalyst concentration (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene,
DBU), hardener type (nadic methyl anhydride, NMA, methyltetrahydrophthalic
anhydride, MTHPA, and their blends with phthalic anhydride, PA), and
nanofiller (organically modified hydrotalcite, Perkalite F100S) content.
To facilitate rapid screening, Shore D hardness was used as a proxy
for Young’s modulus, and the limits of this approach were tested
via comparisons with modulus measurements made via dynamic mechanical
analysis (DMA). ELO cured with MTHPA at a 1:1 epoxy/anhydride molar
ratio with 4.5 phr DBU gave a particularly attractive combination
of rigidity, homogeneity, and alpha transition temperature rarely
seen in thermosets composed of a 100% biobased epoxy component. Nanocomposite
formation provided a modest increase in modulus with no change in
thermal transitions.