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Kinetics of polycondensation of resorcinol diglycidyl ether with m-phenylenediamine were studied at 60°C in the presence of accelerating (dichlorophenol) and retarding (dichlorobenzene) additives. When the process takes place slowly the intensity of light scattering at the initial stages of curing increases at a much faster rate than with rapid curing. Higher intensity of scattering is not directly related to network formation, but is determined by a violation of conditions of compatibility of components in the reaction system. In those systems, where equilibrium phase distribution takes place at the initial stages, the elastic modulus increases considerably. Results obtained were discussed from the point of view of relaxation processes, stimulated by the well-developed surface of the finely dispersed phase as a result of syneresis.

A study was made of kinetics of synthesis of diane epoxide resins under conditions simulating advanced stages of the process. Synthesis was mathematically simulated bearing in mind reactions of crosslinking of oligomers and hydrolysis of epoxide groups. Velocity ratios of these reactions were determined depending on solvent composition. It was shown that oligomer structure depends on the velocity ratio of these reactions. The degree of branching of oligomers may be controlled by carrying out synthesis in a corresponding solvent.

Special features of synthesizing epoxydiane polymers with Mn of up to 8000 were examined. It was shown that in addition to main reactions of forming linear polymers, epoxy groups are used up in solvolysis and by interaction with hydroxyl groups in the chain, which results in the formation of branched structures. The extent of polymer branching was evaluated and coefficients in the Mark-Kuhn-Houwink equations derived for the polymers examined. Hydrodynamic properties of epoxy polymers were examined and the length of Kuhn segment determined.

Sorption and diffusion of chloroform vapour in crosslinked epoxide polymers used as protective layers was investigated. The free energy of mixing, diffusion coefficients, and coefficients of self-diffusion have been determined. Self-diffusion coefficient of chloroform in the network increases with the degree of swelling and, for networks in the elastic state, also with decreasing crosslink density.