Aryl Substituted Epoxy Resin Composites for Stiffness and Viscosity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Epoxy resin compositions for composites, especially in aerospace applications, face a challenge in achieving increased modulus without compromising fracture toughness and viscosity, as conventional bisphenol A-based epoxy resins often result in reduced elongation and fatigue crack growth resistance.

Innovation Solution

The use of epoxy resin compositions formed from glycidyl ethers of aryl-substituted phenolic compounds with aryl substituents free of active hydrogen groups, combined with suitable curing agents, to enhance modulus and reduce viscosity, allowing for improved mechanical properties and processing ease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If highly functional glycidylamine resins are substituted for conventional bisphenol A-based epoxy resins to increase modulus, then the resin matrix modulus is improved, but fracture toughness is considerably reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemodulusVSAvoidfracture toughness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of epoxy resin components - specifically using glycidyl ethers of aryl-substituted phenolic compounds with aryl substituents free of active hydrogen groups. This structural modification changes the physical and mechanical parameters of the resin, achieving increased modulus while maintaining fracture toughness through altered molecular architecture rather than simply substituting one resin type for another

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by formulating epoxy resin compositions that combine multiple components including glycidyl ethers of aryl-substituted phenolic compounds, conventional epoxy resins, and specific curing agents. This composite approach allows the system to achieve enhanced modulus while the diverse component composition maintains toughness through synergistic effects of the different resin types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If conventional bisphenol A-based epoxy resins are used, then the resin system is easy to process, but the composite exhibits reduced elongation and fatigue crack growth resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing easeVSAvoidfatigue crack growth resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies chemical parameters by introducing aryl-substituted phenolic compounds with specific structural features (aryl substituents free of active hydrogen groups). These parameter changes result in improved fatigue crack growth resistance and elongation while the patent simultaneously addresses processing ease by controlling the physical properties of the resin composition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If resin systems with higher modulus are developed, then stiffness is improved, but viscosity increases making fabrication techniques more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestiffnessVSAvoidviscosity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting and combining epoxy resin components with specific molecular structures. The use of glycidyl ethers of aryl-substituted phenolic compounds achieves higher modulus through structural rigidity while the patent controls viscosity by optimizing the composition formulation and selecting components with appropriate flow characteristics for fabrication processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10040914B2Composites and epoxy resins based on aryl substituted compounds
Publication Date: 2018.08.07 WESTLAKE EPOXY INC

AI summary

Compositions and methods for forming epoxy resin are provided, and compositions and methods for forming epoxy resin composites are provided. In one embodiment, a composite comprises an epoxy resin composition comprising an epoxy resin component comprising a glycidyl ether of an aryl substituted phenolic compound, a curing agent component, and a substrate. In one embodiment, a composite comprises an epoxy resin composition comprising an epoxy resin component and a curing agent component comprising an aryl substituted phenolic compound, and a substrate.