TERFIQ - Grup de Termodinàmica i Fisico-Químicahttp://hdl.handle.net/2117/37162024-03-28T12:24:49Z2024-03-28T12:24:49ZMuestras con melatonina. Muestras analizadas: A027-47 y A027-48Morancho Llena, José MaríaRamis Juan, XavierSalla Tarragó, José Maríahttp://hdl.handle.net/2117/268482021-09-05T10:30:16Z2015-03-19T13:15:37ZMuestras con melatonina. Muestras analizadas: A027-47 y A027-48
Morancho Llena, José María; Ramis Juan, Xavier; Salla Tarragó, José María
Los ensayos se han realizado con un calorímetro diferencial de barrido Mettler 822e (Mettler-Toledo, Schwerzenbach, Suiza). En el ensayo calorimétrico se calentó la muestra desde 25ºC hasta 150ºC a 12,5ºC/min.
2015-03-19T13:15:37ZMorancho Llena, José MaríaRamis Juan, XavierSalla Tarragó, José MaríaNew epoxy thermosets modified with multiarm star poly(lactide) with poly(ethyleneimine) as core of different molecular weightAcebo Gorostiza, CristinaFernández Francos, XavierFerrando Piera, FrancescSerra Albet, Maria ÀngelsRamis Juan, Xavierhttp://hdl.handle.net/2117/268392022-06-14T05:55:11Z2015-03-19T12:23:17ZNew epoxy thermosets modified with multiarm star poly(lactide) with poly(ethyleneimine) as core of different molecular weight
Acebo Gorostiza, Cristina; Fernández Francos, Xavier; Ferrando Piera, Francesc; Serra Albet, Maria Àngels; Ramis Juan, Xavier
Multiarm stars containing a hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) core of different molecular weight and poly(lactide) arms were synthesized by cationic ring-opening polymerization of lactide from a hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) core. After characterization by rheometry, calorimetry, thermogravimetry and nuclear magnetic resonance, these polymers were used as chemically modifiers in the anionic curing of diglycidylether of bisphenol A epoxy resin. The curing process was studied by dynamic scanning calorimetry, demonstrating the influence of the mobility of the reactive species and the hydroxyl content on the curing kinetics. The resulting materials were characterized by thermal and mechanical tests. The addition of the multiarm stars led to homogeneous materials with a slight improvement on the impact strength in comparison with the neat material, without compromising the glass transition temperature. The reworkable nature of the materials was demonstrated by monitoring the changes in their glass transition under thermal rework conditions.
2015-03-19T12:23:17ZAcebo Gorostiza, CristinaFernández Francos, XavierFerrando Piera, FrancescSerra Albet, Maria ÀngelsRamis Juan, XavierMultiarm stars containing a hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) core of different molecular weight and poly(lactide) arms were synthesized by cationic ring-opening polymerization of lactide from a hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) core. After characterization by rheometry, calorimetry, thermogravimetry and nuclear magnetic resonance, these polymers were used as chemically modifiers in the anionic curing of diglycidylether of bisphenol A epoxy resin. The curing process was studied by dynamic scanning calorimetry, demonstrating the influence of the mobility of the reactive species and the hydroxyl content on the curing kinetics. The resulting materials were characterized by thermal and mechanical tests. The addition of the multiarm stars led to homogeneous materials with a slight improvement on the impact strength in comparison with the neat material, without compromising the glass transition temperature. The reworkable nature of the materials was demonstrated by monitoring the changes in their glass transition under thermal rework conditions.Assessment tasks: center of the learning processMartínez Martínez, María del RosarioAmante García, BeatrizCadenato Matia, Ana MaríaGallego Fernández, María Isabelhttp://hdl.handle.net/2117/268002021-05-21T09:57:45Z2015-03-18T12:45:12ZAssessment tasks: center of the learning process
Martínez Martínez, María del Rosario; Amante García, Beatriz; Cadenato Matia, Ana María; Gallego Fernández, María Isabel
Assessment is at the centre of learning process, and is what therefore determinates the process of teaching-learning. It is because of this, the assessment tasks must be designed with several criteria which guarantee its quality. In the present work eight criteria are shown which will allow designing assessment activities coherent with the demanded requirements for the adaptation of EHEA. The innovation group GRAPA, of RIMA project from UPC, have performed a rubric which allow, in a quick way, to auto-evaluate and design assessment tasks. In addition, some tasks are shown as examples.
2015-03-18T12:45:12ZMartínez Martínez, María del RosarioAmante García, BeatrizCadenato Matia, Ana MaríaGallego Fernández, María IsabelAssessment is at the centre of learning process, and is what therefore determinates the process of teaching-learning. It is because of this, the assessment tasks must be designed with several criteria which guarantee its quality. In the present work eight criteria are shown which will allow designing assessment activities coherent with the demanded requirements for the adaptation of EHEA. The innovation group GRAPA, of RIMA project from UPC, have performed a rubric which allow, in a quick way, to auto-evaluate and design assessment tasks. In addition, some tasks are shown as examples.A new epoxy based layered silicate nanocomposite using a hyperbranched polymer: study of the curing reaction and nanostructure developmentCortés Izquierdo, María PilarFraga Rivas, IriaCalventus Solé, YolandaHutchinson, John M.http://hdl.handle.net/2117/267622021-09-05T05:23:43Z2015-03-17T14:16:08ZA new epoxy based layered silicate nanocomposite using a hyperbranched polymer: study of the curing reaction and nanostructure development
Cortés Izquierdo, María Pilar; Fraga Rivas, Iria; Calventus Solé, Yolanda; Hutchinson, John M.
Polymer layered silicate (PLS) nanocomposites based on epoxy resins have been widely studied previously [1], but the anticipated dramatic enhancement of their properties has not yet been realised. One approach to overcoming this problem that has recently been investigated is to incorporate hyperbranched polymers into these systems [2]. The supposed advantages of this approach are both to improve the dispersion of the clay in the epoxy resin matrix and also to increase the degree of exfoliation that takes place when the system is cured. In the present work, we further investigate this idea by fabricating PLS nanocomposites based upon a bifunctional epoxy resin and an –NH terminated poly(ethyleneimine) hyperbranched polymer, which acts as the curing agent. The effect of the clay content is studied and the results are compared also with previous work in which the curing agent was a diamine [3]
2015-03-17T14:16:08ZCortés Izquierdo, María PilarFraga Rivas, IriaCalventus Solé, YolandaHutchinson, John M.Polymer layered silicate (PLS) nanocomposites based on epoxy resins have been widely studied previously [1], but the anticipated dramatic enhancement of their properties has not yet been realised. One approach to overcoming this problem that has recently been investigated is to incorporate hyperbranched polymers into these systems [2]. The supposed advantages of this approach are both to improve the dispersion of the clay in the epoxy resin matrix and also to increase the degree of exfoliation that takes place when the system is cured. In the present work, we further investigate this idea by fabricating PLS nanocomposites based upon a bifunctional epoxy resin and an –NH terminated poly(ethyleneimine) hyperbranched polymer, which acts as the curing agent. The effect of the clay content is studied and the results are compared also with previous work in which the curing agent was a diamine [3]El puzzle como actividad de evaluación en el aula en grupos numerososCadenato Matia, Ana MaríaMartínez Martínez, María del Rosariohttp://hdl.handle.net/2117/266742021-05-20T08:27:52Z2015-03-12T12:17:28ZEl puzzle como actividad de evaluación en el aula en grupos numerosos
Cadenato Matia, Ana María; Martínez Martínez, María del Rosario
La presente comunicación expone cómo se ha
utilizado la técnica del puzle como
actividad de evaluación en el aula con el doble objetivo de realizar una evaluación
continua e introducir la competencia de
l trabajo en equipo en grupos numerosos.
La experiencia se ha venido desarrollando
desde el curso 2007-08 en dos asignaturas
troncales, Química I y Termodinámica, de la
titulación de Ingeniería Industrial, en la
Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería I
ndustrial de Barcelona, de la Universidad
Politécnica de Cataluña (ETSEIB-UPC).
Esta técnica, al igual que todas las de ap
rendizaje cooperativo, transfiere parte de la
responsabilidad del aprendizaje al alumnado, que es uno de los principales objetivos del
cambio a que aspira la implantación del EEES en el mundo universitario. Se ha constatado una gran participación en esta actividad y se ha valorado la percepción del alumnado por medio de cuestionarios de incidencias críticas (CuIC), encuestas de opinión y de satisfacción al final del curso (SEEQ). Se puede extraer como conclusión que esta actividad ha servido para mejorar significativamente el aprendizaje, tal como
se deduce del análisis de los resultados
académicos.
2015-03-12T12:17:28ZCadenato Matia, Ana MaríaMartínez Martínez, María del RosarioLa presente comunicación expone cómo se ha
utilizado la técnica del puzle como
actividad de evaluación en el aula con el doble objetivo de realizar una evaluación
continua e introducir la competencia de
l trabajo en equipo en grupos numerosos.
La experiencia se ha venido desarrollando
desde el curso 2007-08 en dos asignaturas
troncales, Química I y Termodinámica, de la
titulación de Ingeniería Industrial, en la
Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería I
ndustrial de Barcelona, de la Universidad
Politécnica de Cataluña (ETSEIB-UPC).
Esta técnica, al igual que todas las de ap
rendizaje cooperativo, transfiere parte de la
responsabilidad del aprendizaje al alumnado, que es uno de los principales objetivos del
cambio a que aspira la implantación del EEES en el mundo universitario. Se ha constatado una gran participación en esta actividad y se ha valorado la percepción del alumnado por medio de cuestionarios de incidencias críticas (CuIC), encuestas de opinión y de satisfacción al final del curso (SEEQ). Se puede extraer como conclusión que esta actividad ha servido para mejorar significativamente el aprendizaje, tal como
se deduce del análisis de los resultados
académicos.New catalysts for diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A curing based on thiol-epoxy click reactionGuzmán, DaylinRamis Juan, XavierFernández Francos, XavierSerra Albet, Maria Àngelshttp://hdl.handle.net/2117/252232022-06-14T05:55:08Z2015-01-12T12:11:30ZNew catalysts for diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A curing based on thiol-epoxy click reaction
Guzmán, Daylin; Ramis Juan, Xavier; Fernández Francos, Xavier; Serra Albet, Maria Àngels
The thiol-epoxy click reaction has been employed in the curing of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) using latent amine precursors in ratios of 0.5 and 2 phr. The kinetics of the curing of mixtures of DGEBA/thiol/amine precursor was studied by calorimetry under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. The latent characteristics of the formulations containing amine precursors were investigated by rheometry and calorimetry. The thermal stability of the thermosets and their thermomechanical characteristics were evaluated by thermogravimetry and dynamomechanical analysis. The new formulations were compared with those containing benzyl dimethyl amine or 1-methylimidazole as catalysts. The use of amine precursors in these systems extended the pot-life of the formulations and permitted a better control of the curing process. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
2015-01-12T12:11:30ZGuzmán, DaylinRamis Juan, XavierFernández Francos, XavierSerra Albet, Maria ÀngelsThe thiol-epoxy click reaction has been employed in the curing of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) using latent amine precursors in ratios of 0.5 and 2 phr. The kinetics of the curing of mixtures of DGEBA/thiol/amine precursor was studied by calorimetry under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. The latent characteristics of the formulations containing amine precursors were investigated by rheometry and calorimetry. The thermal stability of the thermosets and their thermomechanical characteristics were evaluated by thermogravimetry and dynamomechanical analysis. The new formulations were compared with those containing benzyl dimethyl amine or 1-methylimidazole as catalysts. The use of amine precursors in these systems extended the pot-life of the formulations and permitted a better control of the curing process. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Thermal analysis of polymer layered silicate nanocomposites. Identification of nanostructure development by DSCShiravand, FatemehFraga Rivas, IriaCortés Izquierdo, María PilarCalventus Solé, YolandaHutchinson, John M.http://hdl.handle.net/2117/250262021-09-05T02:56:34Z2014-12-15T13:49:18ZThermal analysis of polymer layered silicate nanocomposites. Identification of nanostructure development by DSC
Shiravand, Fatemeh; Fraga Rivas, Iria; Cortés Izquierdo, María Pilar; Calventus Solé, Yolanda; Hutchinson, John M.
It has been shown, for three different polymer layered silicate (PLS) nanocomposite systems, how differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) can identify the different reactions of homopolymerisation and of crosslinking that occur in the intra- and extra-gallery regions of these nanocomposites, respectively, and hence how DSC can be used to assess the cure conditions for optimising their nanostructure. The PLS nanocomposites are based upon: (i) diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) cured with a polyoxypropylene diamine; (ii) DGEBA cured with an -NH2 terminated hyperbranched polymer (HBP); and (iii) tri-glycidyl p-amino phenol (TGAP) cured with a diamine. In each case, the existence of both intra- and extra-gallery reactions in the DSC cure curves, and whether they occur simultaneously or sequentially, and in what order, are identified and correlated with the nanostructure as observed by small angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy. In particular, it is shown that the intra-gallery reaction must precede the extra-gallery for significant exfoliation to occur. In accordance with this scenario, the TGAP/diamine system displays the greatest degree of exfoliation, the DGEBA/diamine system the least, with the DGEBA/HBP system intermediate. For those systems in which significant exfoliation occurs, the DSC cure curves also allow the optimum cure conditions, such as the isothermal cure temperature, to be determined.
2014-12-15T13:49:18ZShiravand, FatemehFraga Rivas, IriaCortés Izquierdo, María PilarCalventus Solé, YolandaHutchinson, John M.It has been shown, for three different polymer layered silicate (PLS) nanocomposite systems, how differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) can identify the different reactions of homopolymerisation and of crosslinking that occur in the intra- and extra-gallery regions of these nanocomposites, respectively, and hence how DSC can be used to assess the cure conditions for optimising their nanostructure. The PLS nanocomposites are based upon: (i) diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) cured with a polyoxypropylene diamine; (ii) DGEBA cured with an -NH2 terminated hyperbranched polymer (HBP); and (iii) tri-glycidyl p-amino phenol (TGAP) cured with a diamine. In each case, the existence of both intra- and extra-gallery reactions in the DSC cure curves, and whether they occur simultaneously or sequentially, and in what order, are identified and correlated with the nanostructure as observed by small angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy. In particular, it is shown that the intra-gallery reaction must precede the extra-gallery for significant exfoliation to occur. In accordance with this scenario, the TGAP/diamine system displays the greatest degree of exfoliation, the DGEBA/diamine system the least, with the DGEBA/HBP system intermediate. For those systems in which significant exfoliation occurs, the DSC cure curves also allow the optimum cure conditions, such as the isothermal cure temperature, to be determined.Analysis of assessment tools of Engineering degreesMartínez Martínez, María del RosarioOlmedo Torre, NoeliaAmante García, BeatrizFarrerons Vidal, ÓscarCadenato Matia, Ana Maríahttp://hdl.handle.net/2117/250012021-05-20T20:24:32Z2014-12-11T12:34:46ZAnalysis of assessment tools of Engineering degrees
Martínez Martínez, María del Rosario; Olmedo Torre, Noelia; Amante García, Beatriz; Farrerons Vidal, Óscar; Cadenato Matia, Ana María
This work presents an analysis of the assessment tools used by professors at the Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya to assess the generic competencies introduced in the Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering.
In order to conduct this study, a survey was designed and administered anonymously to a sample of the professors most receptive to educational innovation at their own university.
All total, 80 professors responded to this survey, of whom 26% turned out to be members of the university’s own evaluation innovation group (https://www.upc.edu/rima/grups/grapa), GRAPA. This percentage represents 47% of the total GRAPA membership, meaning that nearly half of the professors most concerned about evaluation at the university chose to participate.
The analysis of the variables carried out using the statistical program SPSS v19 shows that for practically 49% of those surveyed, rubrics are the tools most commonly used to assess generic competencies integrated in more specific ones. Of those surveyed, 60% use them either frequently or always. The most frequently evaluated generic competencies were teamwork (28%), problem solving (26%), effective oral and written communication (24%) and autonomous learning (13%), all of which constitute commonly recognized competencies in the engineering profession.
A two-dimensional crosstabs analysis with SPSS v19 shows a significant correlation (Asymp. Sig. 0.001) between the type of tool used and the competencies assessed. However, no significant correlation was found between the type of assessment tool used and the type of subject, type of evaluation (formative or summative), frequency of feedback given to the students or the degree of student satisfaction, and thus none of these variables can be considered to have an influence on the kind of assessment tool used. In addition, the results also indicate that there are no significant differences between the instructors belonging to GRAPA and the rest of those surveyed.
2014-12-11T12:34:46ZMartínez Martínez, María del RosarioOlmedo Torre, NoeliaAmante García, BeatrizFarrerons Vidal, ÓscarCadenato Matia, Ana MaríaThis work presents an analysis of the assessment tools used by professors at the Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya to assess the generic competencies introduced in the Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering.
In order to conduct this study, a survey was designed and administered anonymously to a sample of the professors most receptive to educational innovation at their own university.
All total, 80 professors responded to this survey, of whom 26% turned out to be members of the university’s own evaluation innovation group (https://www.upc.edu/rima/grups/grapa), GRAPA. This percentage represents 47% of the total GRAPA membership, meaning that nearly half of the professors most concerned about evaluation at the university chose to participate.
The analysis of the variables carried out using the statistical program SPSS v19 shows that for practically 49% of those surveyed, rubrics are the tools most commonly used to assess generic competencies integrated in more specific ones. Of those surveyed, 60% use them either frequently or always. The most frequently evaluated generic competencies were teamwork (28%), problem solving (26%), effective oral and written communication (24%) and autonomous learning (13%), all of which constitute commonly recognized competencies in the engineering profession.
A two-dimensional crosstabs analysis with SPSS v19 shows a significant correlation (Asymp. Sig. 0.001) between the type of tool used and the competencies assessed. However, no significant correlation was found between the type of assessment tool used and the type of subject, type of evaluation (formative or summative), frequency of feedback given to the students or the degree of student satisfaction, and thus none of these variables can be considered to have an influence on the kind of assessment tool used. In addition, the results also indicate that there are no significant differences between the instructors belonging to GRAPA and the rest of those surveyed.New epoxy thermosets modified with amphiphilic multiarm star polymers as toughness enhancerLagunas Calpe, CarlosFernández Francos, XavierFerrando Piera, FrancescFlores Guillen, MarjorieSerra Albet, Maria ÀngelsMorancho Llena, José MaríaSalla Tarragó, José MaríaRamis Juan, Xavierhttp://hdl.handle.net/2117/249352022-06-14T05:55:16Z2014-12-05T11:52:33ZNew epoxy thermosets modified with amphiphilic multiarm star polymers as toughness enhancer
Lagunas Calpe, Carlos; Fernández Francos, Xavier; Ferrando Piera, Francesc; Flores Guillen, Marjorie; Serra Albet, Maria Àngels; Morancho Llena, José María; Salla Tarragó, José María; Ramis Juan, Xavier
The synthesis and characterization of two novel amphiphilic multiarm star polymers with linear polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly(s-caprolactone) (PCL) arms and their use as toughening modifiers of epoxy anhydride thermosets are reported. The new star polymers were obtained by partial pegylation of a hyperbranched polyester and subsequent growth of PCL arms. The curing process was studied by calorimetry and thermomechanical analysis, demonstrating the accelerating effect and the influence on gelation of the hydroxyl terminal groups. The curing kinetics was analyzed by model-free and model-fitting methods. The final properties of the resulting materials were determined by thermal and mechanical tests. The addition of the star-like modifiers led only to notable improvement on impact strength in the material containing a 10% of the star with PCL and PEG arms, without compromising glass transition temperature and thermal stability. The morphology of the resulting materials depended on the structure of the toughness modifier used, as demonstrated by electron microscopy, but all modified thermosets obtained showed phase-separated morphologies with nanosized particles. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
2014-12-05T11:52:33ZLagunas Calpe, CarlosFernández Francos, XavierFerrando Piera, FrancescFlores Guillen, MarjorieSerra Albet, Maria ÀngelsMorancho Llena, José MaríaSalla Tarragó, José MaríaRamis Juan, XavierThe synthesis and characterization of two novel amphiphilic multiarm star polymers with linear polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly(s-caprolactone) (PCL) arms and their use as toughening modifiers of epoxy anhydride thermosets are reported. The new star polymers were obtained by partial pegylation of a hyperbranched polyester and subsequent growth of PCL arms. The curing process was studied by calorimetry and thermomechanical analysis, demonstrating the accelerating effect and the influence on gelation of the hydroxyl terminal groups. The curing kinetics was analyzed by model-free and model-fitting methods. The final properties of the resulting materials were determined by thermal and mechanical tests. The addition of the star-like modifiers led only to notable improvement on impact strength in the material containing a 10% of the star with PCL and PEG arms, without compromising glass transition temperature and thermal stability. The morphology of the resulting materials depended on the structure of the toughness modifier used, as demonstrated by electron microscopy, but all modified thermosets obtained showed phase-separated morphologies with nanosized particles. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Cure kinetics modeling and thermomechanical properties of cycloaliphatic epoxy-anhydride thermosets modified with hyperstar polymersBelmonte, AlbertoDaebritz, FrankRamis Juan, XavierSerra Albet, Maria ÀngelsVoid, BrigitteFernández Francos, Xavierhttp://hdl.handle.net/2117/246962022-06-14T05:55:16Z2014-11-12T12:47:38ZCure kinetics modeling and thermomechanical properties of cycloaliphatic epoxy-anhydride thermosets modified with hyperstar polymers
Belmonte, Alberto; Daebritz, Frank; Ramis Juan, Xavier; Serra Albet, Maria Àngels; Void, Brigitte; Fernández Francos, Xavier
Hyperstar polymers (HSPs) with hyperbranched aromatic polyester core and arms consisting of block copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) have been used as polymeric modifiers in cycloaliphatic epoxy-anhydride formulations catalyzed with tertiary amines, with the purpose of enhancing the impact strength of the resulting materials without compromising other thermal and mechanical properties.> In this work, the effect of these polymeric modifiers on the curing kinetics, processing, thermal-mechanical properties and thermal stability has been studied using thermal analysis techniques such as DSC, TMA, DMA, and TGA. The morphology of the cured materials has been analyzed with SEM. The curing kinetics has been analyzed by isoconversional procedures and phenomenological kinetic models taking into account the vitrification during curing, and the degradation kinetics has been analyzed by means of isoconversional procedures, summarizing the results in a time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram. The results show that HSPs participate in the crosslinking process due to the presence of reactive groups, without compromising significantly their thermal-mechanical properties. The modified materials show a potential toughness enhancement produced by the formation of a nano-grained morphology. The TTT diagram is shown to be a useful tool for the optimization of the curing schedule in terms of curing completion and safe processing window, as well as for defining storage stability conditions. (C) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
2014-11-12T12:47:38ZBelmonte, AlbertoDaebritz, FrankRamis Juan, XavierSerra Albet, Maria ÀngelsVoid, BrigitteFernández Francos, XavierHyperstar polymers (HSPs) with hyperbranched aromatic polyester core and arms consisting of block copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) have been used as polymeric modifiers in cycloaliphatic epoxy-anhydride formulations catalyzed with tertiary amines, with the purpose of enhancing the impact strength of the resulting materials without compromising other thermal and mechanical properties.> In this work, the effect of these polymeric modifiers on the curing kinetics, processing, thermal-mechanical properties and thermal stability has been studied using thermal analysis techniques such as DSC, TMA, DMA, and TGA. The morphology of the cured materials has been analyzed with SEM. The curing kinetics has been analyzed by isoconversional procedures and phenomenological kinetic models taking into account the vitrification during curing, and the degradation kinetics has been analyzed by means of isoconversional procedures, summarizing the results in a time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram. The results show that HSPs participate in the crosslinking process due to the presence of reactive groups, without compromising significantly their thermal-mechanical properties. The modified materials show a potential toughness enhancement produced by the formation of a nano-grained morphology. The TTT diagram is shown to be a useful tool for the optimization of the curing schedule in terms of curing completion and safe processing window, as well as for defining storage stability conditions. (C) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.