Dodecene succinic anhydride is a reactive chemical additive with a long hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain; its anhydride functional groups can undergo ring-opening reactions with epoxy groups to form a three-dimensional network structure, making it widely used in composite materials.

Epoxy Resin Curing and Toughening: This is the core application of DDSA. In the development of FRP electrical insulation core rods, an acrylic-modified phenolic-epoxy resin system using DDSA as a toughening agent has addressed the high brittleness of traditional epoxy resins, significantly improving the toughness and acid resistance of glass fibre-reinforced pultruded core rods. It is worth noting that, unlike other curing agents, DDSA can achieve ideal mechanical properties in certain formulations without the need for traditional post-curing treatment. This offers significant energy-saving advantages for the efficient manufacture of large composite components, such as wind turbine blades and ship hulls.

Hydrophobic modification of natural polymers: DDSA can be used for esterification modification of natural polymers such as starch and cellulose. Starch modified with DDSA forms a strong interfacial bond with rubber matrices, enabling it to partially replace carbon black whilst reducing the rolling resistance of composites and enhancing their hysteretic properties. Modified nano-cellulose esters exhibit excellent hydrophobic properties, providing high-performance components for the development of fully bio-based composites.

Interface optimisation in nanocomposites: In nanoparticle-filled systems, DDSA acts as an interfacial coupling agent or co-curing agent, effectively improving the interfacial compatibility between nanoparticles and the matrix. For example, when DDSA is used to cure an aluminium oxide nanoparticle/epoxy resin system, by improving interfacial bonding, the composite exhibits an approximately 14% increase in flexural modulus at a 5 wt% loading, with hardness and Young’s modulus increasing by approximately 13% and 28% respectively.

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