Epoxy Curable Composition with Imidazolyl Catalyst for Low-Temperature Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current curable compositions containing epoxy compounds require long curing times at relatively high temperatures, limiting their application in reducing production costs and ensuring safety in electronic component sealing and fiber-reinforced composite material production, and they have limited epoxy compound options and short pot life.
Innovation Solution
A curable composition combining an epoxy compound with a crosslinking agent, such as a polyhydric amine or polyhydric carboxylic anhydride, and an imidazolyl group-containing compound, which accelerates curing at low temperatures (100-160°C) and extends pot life, allowing for a wider range of epoxy compound selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a curable composition uses conventional epoxy compounds and curing agents, then it can achieve curing, but the curing time becomes excessively long (about 2 hours at 130°C)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific imidazolyl group-containing compound (formula C1) as a curing catalyst that mediates the reaction between epoxy compounds and crosslinking agents. This intermediary substance significantly accelerates the curing reaction, reducing curing time from 2 hours to much shorter durations while ensuring complete curing at low temperatures (100-160°C).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the curable composition by selecting specific epoxy compounds with appropriate epoxy values (0.3-0.7) and combining them with specific crosslinking agents and imidazolyl catalysts in controlled ratios. This parameter optimization enables rapid curing at low temperatures without sacrificing curing completeness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the curable composition is designed for long-term storage stability, then pot life is extended, but the epoxy compound selection becomes limited to tetraglycidylamine types
Solution Approach 1:
The imidazolyl group-containing compound (formula C1) serves as a universal catalyst that works effectively with multiple types of epoxy compounds (glycidylamine, glycidyl ether, glycidyl ester types) and various crosslinking agents. This multi-functional catalyst enables broad epoxy compound selection while maintaining long pot life and storage stability.
3Temperature
If curing is performed at low temperature (130°C), then energy consumption is reduced and safety is improved, but the curing time becomes excessively long (2 hours)
Solution Approach 1:
The imidazolyl group-containing compound acts as a catalyst that enables the curing reaction to proceed rapidly at low temperatures. The catalyst lowers the activation energy barrier, allowing complete curing to occur in much shorter time (significantly less than 2 hours) at temperatures between 100-160°C, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining safety.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the curable composition uses a wide range of epoxy compounds, then versatility is improved, but achieving long pot life and rapid low-temperature curing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific parameter ranges for epoxy compounds (epoxy value 0.3-0.7, specific molecular structures) that are optimized to work with the imidazolyl catalyst and crosslinking agents. These parameter controls ensure that diverse epoxy compounds within the specified ranges all achieve rapid curing, long pot life, and consistent high-quality results.
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 composition enables rapid curing at low temperatures, maintaining excellent mechanical properties and long pot life, thus reducing production costs and enhancing operational safety, while allowing for the use of various epoxy compounds.
Implementation Method 1
a (C) compound which is an imidazolyl group-containing compound having a predetermined structure
Implementation Method 2
at least one crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of a polyhydric amine compound and a polyhydric carboxylic anhydride
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a curable composition which is curable at a low temperature within a short time regardless of the type of epoxy compound to be mixed, and also exhibits a long pot life; an adhesive comprising the curable composition; a method for producing a fiber-reinforced composite material using the curable composition; and a fiber-reinforced composite material comprising a matrix consisting of the curable composition. An (A) epoxy compound, (B) at least one crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of a polyhydric amine compound and a polyhydric carboxylic anhydride, and a (C) compound which is an imidazolyl group-containing compound having a predetermined structure are mixed in a curable composition.