Low generation amino-group-terminated poly(ester-amine) dendrimers PEA1.0 (NH2)(3) and PEA1.5 (NH2)(8), and poly(amido-amine) dendrimer PAMAM1.0 (NH2)(4) were used as diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin hardeners. Thermal behavior and curing kinetics of dendrimer/DGEBA systems were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Compared with ethylene diamine (EDA)/DGEBA system, the dendrimer/DGEBA systems gradually liberated heat in two stages during the curing process, and the total heat liberated was less. Apparent activation energy and curing reaction rate constants for dendrimer and EDA/DGEBA systems were estimated. Thermal stabilities and mechanical properties of cured thermosetting systems were examined as well. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.