Research Article

Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol–Modified Epoxy Composites

Volume: 2026 Number: 2 June 21, 2026

Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol–Modified Epoxy Composites

Abstract


 

Abstract: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has emerged as a promising modifier for enhancing the toughness and thermomechanical performance of epoxy-based materials. However, the combined influence of PEG incorporation on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological behavior of epoxy composites has not yet been comprehensively clarified. In this study, epoxy composites reinforced with different PEG contents (3–18 wt.%) were successfully fabricated and systematically characterized to reveal the role of PEG in tailoring the multifunctional performance of epoxy systems. The composites were evaluated through bulk density, Shore D hardness, tensile testing, and thermal conductivity measurements, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were conducted to investigate structural interactions and fracture morphology. The results demonstrated that PEG incorporation significantly altered the physical and mechanical behavior of the epoxy matrix. Increasing PEG content reduced the Shore D hardness from 77.5 for neat epoxy to 65.7 at 18 wt.% PEG, indicating enhanced flexibility within the crosslinked network. In contrast, thermal conductivity increased markedly from 0.112 to 0.148 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ with increasing PEG concentration, demonstrating the beneficial role of PEG in promoting heat transfer through the polymer matrix. Tensile analysis revealed that the composite containing 10 wt.% PEG exhibited the most balanced mechanical performance, achieving an ultimate tensile strength of approximately 60–61 MPa together with a significantly increased strain at failure of 3.5–3.7%, indicating improved ductility and toughness without substantial strength loss. FTIR results confirmed that PEG modified the epoxy matrix primarily through physical interactions rather than chemical bonding, while SEM observations revealed enhanced plastic deformation and energy absorption mechanisms. These findings provide new insight into the multifunctional role of PEG as a flexible performance modifier and demonstrate its potential for designing epoxy composites with simultaneously improved toughness and thermal transport properties for advanced engineering applications.

Keywords

Thanks

Thank you to all who contributed.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Materials Science and Technologies, Polymer Science and Technologies

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 21, 2026

Submission Date

March 23, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 2026 Number: 2

APA
Karataş, M., Aydoğmuş, E., Erzen, B., & Orhan, R. (2026). Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol–Modified Epoxy Composites. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering, 2026(2), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.58692/jotcsb.1914166
AMA
1.Karataş M, Aydoğmuş E, Erzen B, Orhan R. Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol–Modified Epoxy Composites. JOTCSB. 2026;2026(2):1-13. doi:10.58692/jotcsb.1914166
Chicago
Karataş, Mukaddes, Ercan Aydoğmuş, Buket Erzen, and Ramazan Orhan. 2026. “Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol–Modified Epoxy Composites”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering 2026 (2): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.58692/jotcsb.1914166.
EndNote
Karataş M, Aydoğmuş E, Erzen B, Orhan R (June 1, 2026) Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol–Modified Epoxy Composites. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering 2026 2 1–13.
IEEE
[1]M. Karataş, E. Aydoğmuş, B. Erzen, and R. Orhan, “Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol–Modified Epoxy Composites”, JOTCSB, vol. 2026, no. 2, pp. 1–13, June 2026, doi: 10.58692/jotcsb.1914166.
ISNAD
Karataş, Mukaddes - Aydoğmuş, Ercan - Erzen, Buket - Orhan, Ramazan. “Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol–Modified Epoxy Composites”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering 2026/2 (June 1, 2026): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.58692/jotcsb.1914166.
JAMA
1.Karataş M, Aydoğmuş E, Erzen B, Orhan R. Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol–Modified Epoxy Composites. JOTCSB. 2026;2026:1–13.
MLA
Karataş, Mukaddes, et al. “Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol–Modified Epoxy Composites”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering, vol. 2026, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 1-13, doi:10.58692/jotcsb.1914166.
Vancouver
1.Mukaddes Karataş, Ercan Aydoğmuş, Buket Erzen, Ramazan Orhan. Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol–Modified Epoxy Composites. JOTCSB. 2026 Jun. 1;2026(2):1-13. doi:10.58692/jotcsb.1914166

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J. Turk. Chem. Soc., Sect. B: Chem. Eng. (JOTCSB)