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Epoxy adhesive formulations using latent imidazole metal cation complexes


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Complexes of 2-methylimidazole with cations from several metal sulfates were prepared and investigated as curing agents for epoxy resins. The reactivity of one-part formulations of these complexes with a bisphenol A type epoxy resin was determined by the differential scanning calorimetry and the pot life observed by viscosity measurements. Tensile lap shear tests at room temperature and at 120°C were used to evaluate the adhesive strength of the formulations directly after preparation as well as after one and three months of storage at room temperature.

The DSC measurements showed much lower reactivity (7 - 32%) and higher reaction temperatures of the complex formulations in comparison to the mixtures with pure 2-methylimidazole. The viscosity of most formulations remained almost unchanged over the observed period of three months. The adhesive strength of the freshly prepared complex formulations is comparable to a formulation with pure 2-methylimidazole and decreases over time, depending on the type of metal cation and the cation-to-imidazole molar ratio. The obtained results indicate that complexes of 2-methylimidazole with cations are suitable as latent curing agents for epoxy resins.

eISSN:
1899-4741
ISSN:
1509-8117
Language:
English
Publication timeframe:
4 times per year
Journal Subjects:
Industrial Chemistry, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering