2.5. Cured resin preparation
Maleopimaric acid and triglycidyl ester of maleopimaric
acid in a 1:1 stoichiometeric ratio together
with catalyst 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (1 wt% on
the basis of total weight) were dissolved in acetone
to get the uniform mixture. The solvent was removed
in the vacuum oven at 60°C for 30 min. The solvent
free mixture was transferred to the steel mold with
the inner dimension of 64 mm" 10 mm" 5mm to
prepare the specimens for mechanical and DMA
test. The curing reaction was carried out at 120°C
for 2 h, 150°C for 2 h and 180°C for 2 h at normal
pressure. The cured samples were left still at room
temperature for 12 h prior to mechanical and DMA
testing.