Title:Patents Related to Catalysts Used for Curing Thermoset Resins
VOLUME: 1 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Rakesh Kumar
Affiliation:CSIR Materials Science and Manufacturing, P.O. Box 1124, Port Elizabeth 6000, South Africa.
Keywords:Acid catalysts, alkaline catalysts, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, polyfurfuryl alcohol resins.
Abstract:Thermoset resin systems comprising phenols, epoxies and polyfurfuryl alcohol have been used for more than
20 years in the aerospace, automotive, marine and construction sectors where fire and high temperature resistant components
are required. The resins, mentioned above, are cured by acid, neutral or alkaline catalysts. Since the reactions are
exothermic in nature, the curing process sometimes leads to explosions. It is important, therefore, to review the patents related
to the catalysts used in the curing of these resins. Recently, a US patent was filed by the author where it has shown
the ways to reduce the chances of explosions frequently observed during the acid catalyzed condensation reactions of
polyfurfuryl alcohol. Other patents granted in 2011, show the use of latent curing agents (US8039522 and US7906213)
and phenol as a curing agent for epoxy resins (US8008410). A method for producing a thermosetting epoxy resin having a
benzoxazine ring is mentioned in US7994270. Carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids and phosphonic acids having at least two
acid groups as an acid curing agent for thermoset resins are discussed in US8003750.
