Curative
A curative for epoxidized plant-based oils and epoxidized natural rubber is created from the reaction between a naturally occurring polyfunctional acid and an epoxidized plant-based oil is disclosed. The curative may be used to produce porosity-free castable resins and vulcanize rubber formulations based on epoxidized natural rubber. Materials made from disclosed materials may be advantageously used as leather substitutes.
1. An article configured as a sheet, said article comprising:
a. a first layer of an epoxidized natural rubber-based material comprising a mixture of a curative and an epoxidized natural rubber, wherein said curative includes a formed ester linkage between a hydroxyl-containing solvent and a naturally occurring polyfunctional carboxylic acid; and,
b. a backing material positioned adjacent said first layer.
2. The article according to claim 1 wherein an area of said first layer is further defined as being formed with a surface feature thereon.
3. The article according to claim 1 further comprising a second layer of an epoxidized natural rubber-based material comprising a mixture of a curative and an epoxidized natural rubber, wherein said curative includes a formed ester linkage between a hydroxyl-containing solvent and a naturally occurring polyfunctional carboxylic acid, and wherein said second layer is positioned adjacent said backing material.
4. The article according to claim 1 wherein said curative is further defined as comprising a reaction product among said naturally occurring polyfunctional carboxylic acid, said hydroxyl-containing solvent, and an epoxidized triglyceride.
5. An article comprising:
a. a resin comprising a mixture of a pre-polymer and an epoxidized triglyceride, wherein said prepolymer includes a formed ester linkage between a hydroxyl-containing solvent and a naturally occurring polyfunctional carboxylic acid; and,
b. a backing layer, wherein said resin impregnates a portion of said backing layer.
6. The article according to claim 5 wherein said backing layer is further defined as a textile.
7. The article according to claim 6 wherein said textile backing layer is further defined as a non-woven mat comprised of a fibrous content that is substantially all non-petrochemical.
8. The article according to claim 7 wherein said fibrous content is substantially all cellulosic.
9. The article according to claim 7 wherein said textile backing layer is further defined as fibrous recycled cotton fiber.
10. The article according to claim 5 wherein the resin is selected and said backing layer is configured such that said backing layer is visible through said resin.
11. The article according to claim 5 wherein said article further comprises an embossed portion formed in said resin.
12. The article according to claim 6 wherein said textile backing layer is further defined as being comprised of a protein-based fiber.
13. The article according to claim 6 wherein said textile backing layer is further defined as being selected from a group consisting of wool, silk, alpaca fiber, qiviut, vicuna fiber, llama wool, cashmere, and angora.
14. The article according to claim 5 wherein said pre-polymer is further defined as comprising a reaction product among said naturally occurring polyfunctional carboxylic acid, said hydroxyl-containing solvent, and an epoxidized triglyceride.
15. A method of making an article, said method comprising the steps of:
a. selecting a backing material;
b. applying a resin to said backing material to create a first layer, wherein said resin comprises a mixture of a pre-polymer and an epoxidized triglyceride, wherein said prepolymer includes a formed ester linkage between a hydroxyl-containing solvent and a naturally occurring polyfunctional carboxylic acid; and,
c. controlling a temperature of said article; and,
d. allowing said resin to cure.
16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of embossing a portion of said resin during said step of controlling said temperature of said article.
17. The method according to claim 15 wherein said backing material is further defined as a woven fabric.
18. The method according to claim 16 wherein said backing material is further defined as a nonwoven fabric.
19. The method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of positioning a texture paper adjacent said first layer prior to said step of allowing said resin to cure.
20. The method according to claim 19 further comprising the step of positioning a silicone release sheet adjacent said texture paper.