Epoxy Resin Curing via Latent Amine Adduct for Wind Blade Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current epoxy resin materials used in wind power blades face challenges such as short operation time, high exothermic peak temperatures, and poor mechanical and heat resistance properties, making them unsuitable for large-scale applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of an adduct of an olefinic nitrile compound and an amine compound, which undergoes a ring-opening addition reaction to form an N-hydrocarbyl cyanoguanidine and subsequent amide bond structure, improving heat resistance, solvent resistance, and mechanical properties when the mixture is heated between 40-85°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a common amine curing agent is used in epoxy resin materials, then the curing speed is fast, but the operation time after mixing is short and the resin cannot flow fully in the mold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a latent curing agent that changes its reactivity parameters based on temperature. At low temperatures (room temperature), the curing agent has low reactivity allowing long operation time and full resin flow. When heated to higher temperatures (80-150°C), the curing agent becomes highly reactive providing fast curing speed. This temperature-dependent parameter change resolves the contradiction between fast curing and long operation time.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a latent curing agent with low reactivity is used to extend operation time, then the operation time is extended, but the post-curing temperature is high and the cured product has poor mechanical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a latent curing agent whose reactivity parameter changes with temperature. At low temperatures, it provides low reactivity for extended operation time. Upon heating to 80-150°C, the reactivity increases dramatically enabling complete curing and achieving excellent mechanical properties (tensile strength ≥50MPa, flexural strength ≥80MPa). This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between operation time and mechanical properties.
3Speed
If the activity of the curing agent is reduced by modifying an epoxy compound or organosilicone, then the reactivity is reduced, but the viscosity of the curing agent becomes high and the degree of activity reduction is small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a latent curing agent where reactivity is controlled by temperature rather than molecular structure modification. The curing agent maintains low viscosity throughout the process because its reactivity change is achieved through thermal activation of the latent agent, not through adding bulky modifying groups that would increase viscosity. This resolves the contradiction between reducing reactivity and maintaining low viscosity.
4Speed
If microencapsulation is used to produce a low activity curing agent, then the curing agent can be quickly cured by heating, but it has poor compatibility with epoxy resin and requires high post-curing temperature with low mechanical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a latent curing agent that achieves temperature-dependent reactivity without microencapsulation. The latent curing agent maintains good compatibility with epoxy resin and achieves high mechanical properties (tensile strength ≥50MPa, flexural strength ≥80MPa) when cured at 80-150°C. The temperature-dependent reactivity is achieved through molecular design of the latent agent itself, not through encapsulation, thereby avoiding the compatibility and mechanical property issues associated with microencapsulation.
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 solution extends pot life, reduces exothermic peak temperatures, and enhances mechanical and heat resistance properties, allowing for the production of epoxy resin materials suitable for large-scale wind power blades with improved performance and durability.
Implementation Method 1
A method involving the use of an adduct of an olefinic nitrile compound and an amine compound, which undergoes a ring-opening addition reaction to form an N-hydrocarbyl cyanoguanidine and subsequent amide bond structure
Implementation Method 2
when the mixture is heated between 40-85°C
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an epoxy resin material, a preparation method therefor and an application thereof. The present method for preparing an epoxy resin material comprises: heating a mixture of an epoxy resin main agent and a curing agent that are placed at room temperature to 40-85° C. for reaction and curing. The curing agent contains an adduct of an olefinic nitrile compound and an amine compound. The present method for preparing an epoxy resin material has the characteristics of low mixing viscosity, long operation time, and low amount of heat released during preparation.