Latent curing epoxy systems with reduced curing temperature and improved stability

As a representative single component epoxy resin, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A resin (DGEBA) is the most widely used matrix in adhesives. However, challenges are still remained including high curing temperature and short shelf life. Herein, bisphenol A (BPA), Tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA), and Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) as latent curing agents and imidazole as accelerator were used in adhesives. Curing kinetics was studied by non-isothermal DSC, using a model-fitting Malek approach and a model-free advanced isoconversional method of Vyazovkin. Results indicated that curing temperature of EP-BPA, EP-TCBPA, and EP-TBBPA was reduced to 126 degrees C, 94 degrees C, and 106 degrees C, respectively. Storage stability evaluated by DSC indicated the shelf life was up to five months. After curing, molecular weights of the as-prepared linear polymers (EP-BPA, EP-TCBPA, and EP-TBBPA) were 33,822 g/mol, 14,913 g/mol, and 18,846 g/mol, and their tensile strength and shear strength were more than 40.06 MPa and 13.64 MPa, respectively.