Flexible epoxy resins, flexible epoxy resin hardeners preparable therefrom as well as preparation and uses thereof

Abstract

A compound of formula (1): (1) wherein each X is independently a divalent -C2-C10 alkyl- or a divalent -C3-C10 cycloalkyl- group; wherein each Y is independently a direct bond, a divalent group selected from: -C(O)-, -O-, -S-, -S(O)-, -S(O)2-, or a hydrocarbyl linker comprising 1-50 carbon atoms; wherein each R is independently a substituent as defined herein; each R7 is independently a divalent -C1-C20 hydrocarbyl- group, and preferably further comprises one or more of: an ester group, a C3-C10 cycloalkyl group, a hydroxyl group, and an oxo group; wherein each R8 is independently hydrogen or -C1-C20 alkyl which may optionally be bonded to the R7 vicinal to said R8 to form a C5-C12 cycloalkyl group; each Z is independently from 0-4; each n is independently from 1-20; and m is from 5-100. The invention relates to a class of flexible epoxy resins having an aromatic and aliphatic component, as well as a class of flexible diamine epoxy resin hardeners preparable from the flexible epoxy resins. The invention also relates to methods of preparation of the flexible epoxy resins and epoxy resin hardeners, as well as uses thereof.