Glass Fiber-reinforced Composites based on Epoxy Resin–Maleated Shellac Interacting System

ABSTRACT: Shellac, a forest product, was reacted with various proportions of maleic anhydride. The resultant maleated shellac (MS) samples were characterized by acid value. The MS samples were then reacted with commercial epoxy resin i.e., DGEBA (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A) according to the acid value of MS samples. The resultant MS–DGEBA systems were monitored on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Based on DSC data, the glass fiber-reinforced composites of MS were prepared and the resultant products were characterized by physical and mechanical properties. KEY WORDS: shellac, epoxy resin, thermogravimetry, tetrahydrofuran, glass fiber reinforcement