A hardener composition for epoxy resins includes a dianhydride and one or both of a monoanhydride and a hydroxyl-diterminated poly(phenylene ether). The hardener components can be blended in the substantial absence of solvent to yield a homogeneous composition having a reduced glass transition temperature or melting point that facilitates reduced-temperature blending of the hardener composition with the epoxy resin.

The present teachings contemplate a method that includes a step of providing a first amount of esterified reaction product of an acid and an epoxy-based material. The esterified reaction product may be further reacted an epoxy resin to form a polymeric epoxy. The resulting material may have a generally linear backbone, foaming and curing capability and flame retardant properties.

The present teachings contemplate a method that includes a step of providing a first amount of esterified reaction product of an acid and an epoxy-based material. The esterified reaction product may be further reacted an epoxy resin to form a polymeric epoxy. The resulting material may have a generally linear backbone, foaming and curing capability and flame retardant properties.

Disclosed herein are compositions comprising an epoxy-functionalized sacrificial polymer, wherein the sacrificial polymer decomposes into one or more gaseous decomposition products at a temperature of 180 C. or less for a period of time of 24 hrs or less. Also disclosed are compositions comprising a copolymer derived from an epoxy resin; an epoxy-functionalized sacrificial polymer; and optionally a crosslinker. The epoxy-functionalized sacrificial polymer can be derived from a polycarbonate. Methods of preparing the copolymers described herein are also disclosed. Porous films derived from the copolymers described herein, wherein a majority of the sacrificial polymer in the composition has been degraded to form pores in the porous film are also disclosed.

The present teachings contemplate a method that includes a step of providing a first amount of esterified reaction product of an acid and an epoxy-based material. The esterified reaction product may be further reacted an epoxy resin to form a polymeric epoxy. The resulting material may have a generally linear backbone, foaming and curing capability and flame retardant properties.

The present teachings contemplate a method that includes a step of providing a first amount of esterified reaction product of an acid and an epoxy-based material. The esterified reaction product may be further reacted an epoxy resin to form a polymeric epoxy. The resulting material may have a generally linear backbone, foaming and curing capability and flame retardant properties.

A method of forming a cured epoxy material includes pre-reacting a phenylene ether oligomer with an anhydride hardener before adding an epoxy resin and a curing promoter, then curing the resulting composition. The method provides an improved balance of heat resistance and toughness relative to corresponding methods in which the phenylene ether oligomer is pre-reacted with the epoxy resin prior to addition of hardener, and in which all components are mixed simultaneously. The cured epoxy material can be used in the composite core of an aluminum conductor composite core reinforced cable.

A silicone-modified epoxy resin which yields a cured product having low gas permeability and excellent strength; a composition of the silicone-modified epoxy resin; and an epoxy resin cured product obtainable by curing the composition, are provided. An epoxy resin represented by the following Formula (1): ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; X represents an organic group having a norbornane epoxy structure, or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; n represents an integer from 1 to 3; plural R.sup.1s and plural Xs present in the formula may be respectively identical or different; and two or more of plural Xs represent an organic group having a norbornane epoxy structure.

The present invention provides an active ester, a thermosetting resin composition, a prepreg and a laminated board containing same. The active ester is a PPO main chain-containing double-ended polyfunctional active ester, and the thermosetting resin composition comprises epoxy resin and the PPO main chain-containing double-ended polyfunctional active ester. The prepreg, laminated board and copper-clad plate prepared from the thermosetting resin composition containing the PPO main chain-containing double-ended polyfunctional active ester have excellent dielectric properties, damp-heat resistance, heat resistance, extremely low water absorption and high bending strength.

The present teachings contemplate a method that includes a step of providing a first amount of esterified reaction product of an acid and an epoxy-based material. The esterified reaction product may be further reacted an epoxy resin to form a polymeric epoxy. The resulting material may have a generally linear backbone, foaming and curing capability and flame retardant properties,