Are cured thermoset resins inhomogeneous?

This question was addressed using Various methods to monitor the process of curing and state of the final network. Attention was particularly focused on the possible inhomogeneous network formation as a consequence of the crosslinking process. An analysis of experimental data has revealed that some cured resins can be considered as homogeneous as the corresponding uncrosslinked materials. Resins cured by simple stepwise alternating chemistries, with good compatibility of components, usually fulfill the criterion of homogeneity. A family of epoxy resins cured with polyamines belongs to this category. Nodular structures seen by electron microscopy are a result of interaction of the electron beam or etching. Such structures are also observed for uncrosslinked polymers investigated under the same conditions. Formation of inhomogeneities in a number of thermoset systems is due to (a) chainwise mechanism of network formation with fast propagation inducing cyclization and steric volume exclusion and (b) poor compatibility of components of the system made stronger by increasing molecular weights and crosslinking during curing. Networks formed by free-radical polymerization and copolymerization of polyvinyl monomers can serve as an example of crosslinking-driven formation of inhomogeneities.