Composite Materials: Properties of Polymeric Matrix Based on Epoxy Resin and Monoepoxide Diluent, p-tert-Butylphenol Glycidyl Ether

Brief information is presented about the state of the world and domestic market of composite materials and epoxy resins as raw materials for polymeric matrices. It is shown that facilities for manufacture of epoxy resins should be created in the country, with a total output capacity of 40–50 thousand tons a year. p-tert-Butylphenol glycidyl ether was synthesized and its influence on the properties of composites based on ED-20 epoxy resin was examined. Dependences of the viscosity, gelation duration, glass-transition point, water-absorption capacity, and hardness of the composites on the amount of diluent were obtained. The results can be used to solve the problem of choosing the diluent in manufacture of composite materials.