(1) An epoxy resin, which is configured to form, in a cured product of the epoxy resin, a phase-separated structure that is formed from at least two phases, wherein at least one phase of the at least two phases includes a liquid crystal structure and (2) An epoxy resin, which is configured to form a phase-separated structure in a cured product, the cured product being obtained by curing the epoxy resin by increasing a temperature of the epoxy resin from an ambient temperature to a curing temperature at a rate of not greater than 20? C./minute.

The present invention relates to rapid-curing resin formulations as well as fiber-reinforced composite materials comprising the same and their use in the manufacture of molded articles, particularly where the manufacturing process requires high throughput and where resin formulations having consistent handling characteristics (e.g., tack and flexibility) would be preferable across normal to elevated laminating environments (as defined by temperatures between 20 C. and 60 C.). The present invention further relates to a manufacturing process for preparing an article, particularly a molded article, from a fiber-reinforced composite material comprising a rapid-curing resin formulation.

A resin composition containing (A) an epoxy resin; (B) a compound represented by formula (1) below; (C) a curing accelerator; and (D) a silane coupling agent is provided. The compound of the (B) component has a content of 1:0.5 to 1:2.5, in terms of an equivalent ratio between epoxy groups in the epoxy resin of the (A) component and thiol groups in the compound of the (B) component, the silane coupling agent of the (D) component has a content of 0.2 parts by mass to 50 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass in total of the (A) component, the (B) component, the (C) component, and the (D) component, and an equivalent ratio between thiol groups in the compound of the (B) component and Si in the silane coupling agent of the (D) is 1:0.002 to 1:1. ##STR00001##

A toughener composition comprising: a) a polyol component selected from the group consisting of a polyether polyol, a polyester polyol, a polycaprolactone polyol, a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, and mixtures or copolymers thereof; and b) a core shell rubber comprising a rubber particle core and a shell layer wherein said core shell rubber has a particle size of from 0.01 m to 0.5 m is disclosed. The toughener can be used in epoxy resin compositions for composite applications.

This invention relates to an epoxy resin composition and its application in marine maintenance and repair coating with improved overcoatability.

The disclosure relates to a novel process for functionalizing NCC, a method for producing amine-cured epoxy-based nanocomposites through the use of said functionalized NCC, and nanocomposites thereof. The process for functionalizating NCC comprises providing a mixture of NCC and one or more monomers. The mixture is suitable for free radical polymerization and the monomer is cross-linkable with epoxy and is aqueous soluble. The polymerization takes place in the presence of a free radical initiator and oxygen is purged from the mixture and the initiator solution. The epoxy-based nanocomposite is produced by mixing the funtionalized NCC with an amine-curable epoxy resin and a hardener, in a solvent, and allowing the mixture to cure.

A method is described for producing liquid rubber containing an impact-resistance modifier terminated by epoxy groups, the method including the reaction of an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer with an epoxy resin, which includes an epoxy compound including a primary or secondary hydroxyl group, in the presence of a compound selected from anhydrides, ketones and aldehydes as glycol scavengers, wherein the isocyanate-terminated prepolymer, the epoxy resin and the glycol scavenger are mixed with one another, or the epoxy resin is reacted with the glycol scavenger, before they are mixed with the isocyanate-terminated prepolymer. Gelling in the reaction mixture is avoided by the method. The resulting products are suitable for improving the impact resistance of epoxy resin compositions, particularly one-component or two-component epoxy resin adhesives.

Thermosetting resins and thermosetting composites comprising the thermosetting resins are hot-formable. The compositions result from contacting at least one thermosetting resin precursor with at least one hardener selected from acid anhydrides in the presence of at least one transesterification catalyst. The thermosetting resin precursor includes hydroxyl functions and/or epoxy groups, and optionally ester functions, and the total molar quantity of the transesterification catalyst is between 5 and 25% of the total molar quantity of hydroxyl and epoxy contained in the thermosetting resin precursor. Methods for manufacturing articles comprising the thermosetting resins and methods for recycling the thermosetting resins are also disclosed.

Flooring underlayments may be formed by combining an epoxy based resin component, a curing agent component, and an aggregate component. The resulting underlayment may be a lightweight material with a low viscosity that allows the underlayment to be self-leveling. Further, the underlayment may be designed for application in both wet and dry spaces. In certain embodiments, the underlayment may have a weight less than approximately 7.8 kg/m.sup.2 (1.6 lb/ft.sup.2) when applied at a nominal thickness of 0.635 cm (0.25) inches. Moreover, the underlayment may be designed to conform to the SOLAS requirements administered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Specifically, the underlayment may be designed to conform to IMO Resolution MSC.61(67).

Disclosed herein is a composition comprising: an epoxy-containing component, elastomeric particles in an amount of greater than 11% by weight to 25% by weight based on total weight of the composition; and a curing component activatable by an external energy source, the curing component comprising at least one guanidine having a D90 particle size of 25 m measured by dynamic light scattering. Also disclosed is the composition in an at least partially cured state. Also disclosed is a method for treating a substrate comprising applying the composition to a surface of a substrate; and applying an external energy source to cure the composition. Also disclosed are substrates comprising the composition. Also disclosed are substrates formed by the method of the present invention.