Accelerators for polymerization of epoxy resins
Accelerator compositions useful in the curing of epoxy resins having at least one amine and a glycerin and methods for making the accelerator compositions are provided.
1. A method for making an epoxy resin comprising:
a. forming an accelerator composition having an amine hydrogen equivalent weight (“AHEW”) by adding an amount of glycerin to at least one amine to adjust an AHEW of the at least one amine to achieve the AHEW of the accelerator composition;
b. selecting an epoxy hardener having an AHEW substantially similar to the AHEW of the accelerator composition; and
c. contacting the epoxy hardener and a polyepoxy in the presence of the accelerator composition to form an epoxy resin.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AHEW of the accelerator composition is in the range of from about 10 to about 300 and the AHEW of the epoxy hardener is in the range of from about 10 to about 300.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AHEW of the accelerator composition is in the range of from about 55 to about 65.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AHEW of the accelerator composition is in the range of from about 75 to about 90.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AHEW of the accelerator composition is in the range of from about 140 to about 160.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one amine comprises a N-aminoethylpiperazine.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the AHEW of the accelerator composition is about 60 or about 81 and the AHEW of the epoxy hardener is about 60 or about 81.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one amine comprises a piperazine.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one amine is selected from the group consisting of: an amine having a primary amine group; an amine having a secondary amine group; an amine having a tertiary amine group; an amine having a primary and secondary amine group; an amine having a primary and tertiary amine group; an amine having a secondary and tertiary amine group; an amine having a primary, secondary and tertiary amine group; and combinations thereof.
10. A method for making an epoxy resin comprising:
a. providing an epoxy hardener, a polyepoxy, and an accelerator composition having at least one amine and a glycerin; and
b. contacting the epoxy hardener and the polyepoxy in the presence of the accelerator composition, wherein the epoxy hardener has an amine hydrogen equivalent weight (AHEW) that matches an AHEW of the accelerator composition.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the AHEW of the accelerator composition is in the range of from about 10 to about 300 and the AHEW of the epoxy hardener is in the range of from about 10 to about 300.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the AHEW of the accelerator composition is in the range of from about 55 to about 65.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the AHEW of the accelerator composition is in the range of from about 75 to about 90.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the AHEW of the accelerator composition is in the range of from about 140 to about 160.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one amine comprises a N-aminoethylpiperazine.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the AHEW of the accelerator composition is about 60 or about 81 and the AHEW of the epoxy hardener is about 60 or about 81.
17. The method of claim 10 , further comprising adjusting a reactivity of the epoxy resin formulation by exchanging the accelerator composition with the epoxy hardener on a weight for weight basis.
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one amine and the glycerin are mixed to form the accelerator composition prior to mixing with the epoxy hardener and the polyepoxy.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AHEW of the epoxy hardener matches the AHEW of the accelerator composition.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AHEW of the at least one amine is different from the AHEW of the epoxy hardener.