Water-Based Amine Curing Agent for Low Viscosity Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solvent-free curing agents for epoxy resin systems face challenges such as high viscosity, poor substrate wetting, short pot life, and manufacturing difficulties, along with environmental concerns like VOC emissions, toxicity, and flammability.
Innovation Solution
A water-based amine curing agent is developed as a reaction product of an aqueous epoxy dispersion and a cycloaliphatic polyamine compound, which can be formed with or without a surfactant, offering low viscosity, improved pot life, and low VOC content, suitable for use in two-component coating systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If solvent-free curing agents are used, then environmental pollution and health hazards are reduced, but viscosity becomes too high making application difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water as a solvent to change the physical state of the curing agent system, transforming it from a high-viscosity solvent-free form to a water-based dispersion with reduced viscosity. This parameter change (adding water) enables easier application while maintaining the environmental benefits of reduced VOC emissions, as water replaces organic solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water as an intermediary substance to mediate between the curing agent and the application process. Water acts as a carrier that reduces viscosity and facilitates application, while being environmentally benign. The water-based dispersion serves as an intermediate form that bridges the gap between the solid curing agent and the final cured product.
2Ease of operation
If water-based curing agents are used, then viscosity is reduced and application is improved, but pot life becomes short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the water content parameter in the curing agent formulation to balance viscosity reduction with pot life extension. By controlling the amount of water added and the timing of the reaction between water and epoxy groups, the patent achieves a formulation that maintains low viscosity for easy application while extending the working pot life through controlled reaction kinetics.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If high solids content is achieved, then environmental impact is reduced, but viscosity increases making processing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes water as a green solvent to enable high solids content formulations without the viscosity penalties typically associated with high concentration systems. By replacing organic solvents with water, the patent achieves both high solids content (reducing environmental impact) and low viscosity (maintaining processability), as water provides effective solvation and flow properties.
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 water-based amine curing agent provides stable viscosity, easy application, and high solids content, resulting in transparent, high-gloss coatings with enhanced drying rates and reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
A water-based amine curing agent for a curable resin which is a reaction product of: (A) an aqueous epoxy dispersion; and (B) a polyamine component consisting of a cycloaliphatic polyamine compound
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a water-based amine curing agent which is a reaction product obtained from the reaction of an aqueous epoxy resin dispersion and a polyamine component. The water-based amine curing agent may be used as part of a two component coating system in the curing of modified or unmodified liquid or pre- dispersed curable resin.