Waterborne Epoxy Curing Agent with Low Viscosity and Fast Cure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waterborne epoxy resin curing agents face issues such as poor physical properties, high viscosity, slow cure speed, short pot life, and manufacturing difficulties, limiting their effectiveness in applications like coatings and adhesives.
Innovation Solution
A novel waterborne epoxy curing agent is developed, comprising the reaction product of a polyalkylene polyether modified polyepoxide resin and a polyamine component derived from diethylenetriamine (DETA) and formaldehyde, which reacts with curable epoxy resins to form a fast-curing, chemically resistant, and hard coating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If waterborne curing agents are used to reduce VOCs, then environmental safety is improved, but physical properties such as hardness and solvent resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the curing agent by using polyalkylene polyether modified polyepoxide resin with specific molecular weight and epoxy equivalent weight ranges, and reacting it with polyethylene polyamine in controlled ratios to achieve optimal balance between water solubility and cured coating properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite curing agent system combining polyalkylene polyether modified polyepoxide resin and polyethylene polyamine in specific proportions, where the polyalkylene polyether component provides water solubility while the polyepoxide-polyamine reaction provides the crosslinked network structure for hardness and solvent resistance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional waterborne curing agents are used, then VOCs are reduced, but viscosity increases making application difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes physical parameters by controlling the molecular weight of polyalkylene polyether (200-5000) and epoxy equivalent weight (150-500), and adjusting the molar ratio of epoxy groups to amine hydrogens (0.8-1.2) to achieve low viscosity while maintaining high solids content (30-80%)
3Object-affected harmful factors
If current waterborne curing agents are used, then environmental concerns are addressed, but cure speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes chemical reaction parameters by selecting polyethylene polyamine with specific amine hydrogen equivalent weight (100-500) and controlling the stoichiometric ratio of epoxy groups to amine hydrogens (0.8-1.2), which accelerates the curing reaction while maintaining waterborne formulation
4Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional waterborne curing agents are used, then VOCs are reduced, but pot life shortens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the chemical composition parameters by modifying the polyepoxide resin with polyalkylene polyether to reduce reactivity slightly, and controlling the amine to epoxy ratio to extend the working pot life while maintaining acceptable cure speed and final coating performance
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 new curing agent provides fast cure rates, improved hardness development, good gloss, and stability, with low viscosity and extended pot life, making it suitable for various applications including coatings, adhesives, and construction products.
Implementation Method 1
The curing agent comprises the reaction product of a polyalkylene polyether modified polyepoxide resin component and a polyamine component
Implementation Method 2
active amine hydrogens capable of reacting with a curable epoxy resin
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to epoxy curing agents which are obtained from the reaction of a polyalkylene polyether modified polyepoxide resin and a polyamine component. They polyamine component is a reaction product of a polyethylene polyamine having 3 to 10 nitrogen atoms, for example, diethylenetriamine (DETA), and at least one aldehyde having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, for example, formaldehyde. The epoxy curing agent may be used as part of a two component coating system in the curing of liquid or pre-dispersed curable epoxy resins.