Enhanced performance of rosin-based epoxy composites mixed with carbon nanotubes and cork powders from oriental oak bark

Rosin-based epoxy composites with high-impact toughness, tensile strength, modulus, and excellent flame retardance were prepared through a simple and effective approach. In this study, rosin-based epoxy resin (acrylopimaric diglycidyl ester, APA-ER) was synthesized from rosin, and the chemical structures of the products were determined by 1H NMR and FT-IR. The multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and cork powders were introduced to the APA-ER to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy composites. For the first time, cork powder was used to reinforce the modified rosin-based epoxy resin. Testing results of the mechanical properties indicated that the impact toughness of epoxy composite with 1.5 wt% MWCNTs and 3 wt% cork powders (100–200 mesh) had the highest value (12.34 and 12.04 kJ m−2), which was increased by 324% and 314%, respectively, compared to pure resin (2.91 kJ m−2).