When developing a one component UV or heat curable, or two component room temperature/heat curing epoxy system, formulators need to access the properties conferred upon the system by the resin system. For the resin which is usually designated as Part A in a two component epoxy system or is used as is in a one component UV/heat curable epoxy system, there are a few choices:

  • Bisphenol F resin
  • Bisphenol A resin
  • Hydrogenated Bis A resin
  • Novolac resin
  • Cycloaliphatic epoxy resin
  • Multifunctional resin
Resin Type Temperature Resistance Cure Type Product System Type Key Product Highlight
Bisphenol F resin Fair Room/heat EP62-1BF 2 part Excellent chemical resistance
Bisphenol A resin Good Room/heat EP93FRHT 2 part Good dielectric properties
Hydorgenated Bisphenol A resin Good Room/heat EP21LSCL-2 2 part Good non-yellowing profile
Novolac Very good Room/heat EP41S-5 2 part Excellent chemical resistance
Cycloaliphatic epoxy resin Excellent UV/heat UV22DC80-1 1 part Good dimensional stability
Multifunctional resin Outstanding Heat EP46HT-1 2 part Very high Tg

In some formulations, these resins can be used on their own or in combination with other resins to formulate the optimal epoxy system.

Curing Agents

For choosing curing agents, there are a few options to consider while formulating an epoxy system, which can help in attaining the desired properties in a wide range of applications. Here are some of the options:

  • Aliphatic amines
  • Polyamides
  • Cycloaliphatic amines
  • Aromatic amines
  • Anhydrides
  • Imidazoles
  • Lewis acids
Curing Agent Type Temperature Resistance Cure Type Product System Type Key Product Highlight
Aliphatic amines Very good Room/heat EP30-2 2 part Very low outgassing levels
Polyamides Good Room/heat EP21LVMed 2 part Excellent dielectric properties
Cycloaliphatic amines Excellent Room/heat EP39-2 2 part Very good chemical resistance
Aromatic amines Excellent Heat EP45HTAN 2 part Excellent chemical resistance
Anhydrides Excellent Heat EP110F8-1 2 part Excellent dielectric properties
Imidazoles Very good Moderate heat EP62-1LO 2 part Excellent chemical resistance
Lewis acids Very good Room/heat EP19HT 1 part Fast cures

Once again, while formulating epoxy systems, it must be kept in mind, that these curing agents can be used in combination in certain formulations to provide the desired results.

Master Bond Epoxy Novolac Based Resin Compounds

Employed in both single resin and mult-resin formulations Novolac based resin compounds offer enhanced thermal stability, chemical resistance, bond strength in comparison to conventional resin systems. Heat cure will improve the cross link density and performance properties of these products depending on the length of the elevated temperature cure. These resin systems are noted for simple easy handling/processing, good storage stability, long term durability/strength retention, ability to withstand chemical attack/solvent exposure. They also feature high Tg, outstanding electrical properties in wet/heat environments. Epoxy novolac based resin products are frequently cured with conventional curing agents. From tank linings to electrical encapsulation to prepegs to structural adhesives to filament winding epoxy novolac resin systems provide batch to batch consistency. Some Master Bond products using this resin are:

Anhydrides

Curing agents used in numerous impregnation, potting, encapsulation and casting applications. Offer outstanding electrical insulation, long pot life, excellent mechanical strength and high temperature resistance. Formulations range from optically clear systems to low exothermic compositions to high Tg and low cure shrinkage. They have many advantages over amine cured epoxies and are employed in filament winding, pultrusion processes for fiber reinforced composites. Wetting and adhesive characteristics are noteworthy.

Master Bond has a few products using this curing agent class. Some examples include:

They require heat curing and extensive post curing helps enhance their cured profile.

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