Amine Hardener for Epoxy Resin Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing epoxy resin compositions face challenges with slow curing speeds and insufficient final hardness at ambient and cold temperatures, while also presenting issues with high viscosity and strong amine odor.
Innovation Solution
A low-viscosity, low-odor amine of the formula (i), produced by reductive alkylation of a substituted ethyl diamine with formyl or acetylbenzonitrile and hydrogen, is used as a hardener for epoxy resin, enabling quick and efficient curing with high final hardness and a beautiful surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional polyamines are used as hardeners for epoxy resins, then curing can proceed at ambient temperatures, but the curing speed is slow and final hardness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a novel amine compound with specific molecular structure parameters (formula I with particular R1, R2, and A group combinations) that fundamentally changes the reactivity parameters of the hardening system, enabling both rapid curing and high final hardness at ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite chemical system by combining the newly synthesized amine compound (featuring both aromatic and aliphatic amine groups) with epoxy resin, where the synergistic interaction between different functional groups within the amine molecule achieves superior curing performance
2Speed
If partial adduction with epoxy resins is performed to enable faster curing, then curing speed improves, but viscosity becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight and structural parameters of the amine compound to maintain low viscosity while preserving high reactivity. The specific structural features in formula (I) prevent excessive chain entanglement and maintain fluidity even with multiple functional groups
3Productivity
If conventional amine hardeners are used, then curing can proceed, but strong unpleasant amine odor is emitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure parameters of the amine hardener by introducing aromatic rings and specific substituent groups (R1, R2 groups in formula I), which fundamentally changes the volatility and odor characteristics while maintaining curing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the typically harmful strong amine odor into a benefit by designing a molecule where the aromatic structure reduces volatility and odor, while the same structural features enhance the curing performance and final material properties
4Reliability
If alkylated amines are used as hardeners, then reliable curing at ambient temperatures is achieved with little blushing, but curing rates are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a hybrid amine structure combining aromatic and aliphatic amine groups within the same molecule (formula I), where the aromatic portion provides stability and reliability while the aliphatic portions maintain high reactivity and fast curing rates
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The amine of the formula (i) achieves fast hardening at room and cold temperatures, resulting in high final hardness and a flawless, glossy surface, while maintaining low viscosity and odor.
Implementation Method 1
The amine of formula (I) enables surprisingly rapid curing at room temperature and in the cold to produce a material of high final hardness
Implementation Method 2
The amine of formula (I) can be prepared in a simple process by reductive alkylation of an optionally substituted ethylenediamine with formyl- or acetylbenzonitrile and hydrogen
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an amine of formula (I) and its use for curing epoxy resins. According to the invention, the amine of formula (I) has a low viscosity and odour, and cures surprisingly fast, at ambient temperatures, to a material of high final hardness and high surface quality.