Compositional Time–Temperature–Transformation and Post‐Processing Window Mapping of Epoxy Nanocomposites via Machine Learning

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Authors: Otávio Bianchi, Dante A. Benvenutti, L.B. Canto, Alessandra Lavoratti, Zainab Al‐Maqdasi, Sandro Campos Amico, Patrik Fernberg
Cited by: 1
References: 46

Abstract

ABSTRACT Time–temperature–transformation (TTT) diagrams are essential for defining processing windows in thermoset systems, but become experimentally impractical for nanofiller‐containing compositions. Here, DGEBA/TETA‐based epoxy systems containing graphene nanoplatelets (GN) or carbon nanotubes (CNT) (0–1 wt%) were investigated using DSC, rheological gelation, kinetic modeling, and machine‐learning‐assisted interpolation. Cure kinetics were described using a Kamal–Sourour model with diffusion control, combined with Di Benedetto vitrification analysis. Gel activation energies remained within 44–51 kJ·mol −1 , and gelation occurred at α g ≈0.70–0.88 for all formulations, confirming preservation of the intrinsic single‐step autocatalytic epoxy–amine reaction mechanism. In contrast, CNT significantly intensified diffusion control, with log K diff decreasing from 5.00 (neat epoxy) to −3.93 (1 wt% CNT). TTT analysis showed that vitrification shift, rather than gel displacement, governs the compression of the compositional cure‐time window. At 80°C, neat epoxy exhibited a post‐gel processing window (Δ t ) of ~40–50 min, GN systems showed Δ t ≈ 17–28 min, while 1 wt% CNT reduced Δ t to ~5–9 min (≈60%–70% contraction). Machine‐learning models accurately reproduced TTT slices (MAE = 0.050 log 10 [min]) and Δ t predictions (MAE = 0.037 log 10 [min], ~9% deviation). This integrated framework converts discrete TTT measurements into continuous compositional cure maps for formulation design and processing optimization.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Epoxy Resin Curing Processes Polymer composites and self-healing Polymer Nanocomposites and Properties

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
143
Issue
40
Publication date
2 August 2026
Language
EN