Accelerators for polymerization of epoxy resins

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention disclose accelerator compositions useful in the curing of an epoxy resins having at least one amine and a glycerin.

1 . An accelerator composition useful in the curing of an epoxy resin comprising:
 a. at least one amine; and   b. a glycerin.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the accelerator composition has an AHEW in the range of from about 10 to about 300. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the accelerator composition has an AHEW in the range of from about 55 to about 65. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the accelerator composition has an AHEW in the range of from about 75 to about 90. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the accelerator composition has an AHEW in the range of from about 140 to about 160. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the accelerator composition has an AHEW of about 60. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the accelerator composition has an AHEW of about 81. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one amine comprises a N-amino ethylpiperazine. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one amine comprises a piperazine. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one amine comprises a piperazine selected from the group consisting of: N-aminobutylpiperazine, 1,4-bis-(3-aminopropyl)piperazine, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one amine comprises a diamine selected from the group consisting of: isophorone diamine, norbornanediamine, m-xylene diamine, menthanediamine, ethylenediamine, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one amine comprises an amine selected from the group consisting of: bis(p-aminocyclohexyl)methane, bis(4-amino,3-methylcyclohexyl)methane, diaminocyclohexane, 1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexylamine, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one amine is selected from the group consisting of: diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, aminopropylmorpholine, aminoethylethanolamine, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one amine is selected from the group consisting of: an ethyleneamine, an ethanolamine, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one amine is selected from the group consisting of: an amine having a primary amine group; an amine having a secondary amine group; an amine having a tertiary amine group; an amine having a primary and secondary amine group; an amine having a primary and tertiary amine group; an amine having a secondary and tertiary amine group; an amine having a primary, secondary and tertiary amine group; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A method for making an accelerator composition comprising the steps of:
 a. providing at least one amine and a glycerin; and   b. contacting the at least one amine and the glycerin.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the accelerator composition has an AHEW of about 60 or about 81. 
     
     
         18 . A method for making an epoxy resin comprising the steps of:
 a. providing at least one amine, a glycerin, an epoxy hardener, and a polyepoxy;   b. contacting the epoxy hardener and the polyepoxy in the presence of an accelerator composition that comprises the at least one amine and the glycerin.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the accelerator composition has an AHEW in the range of from about 10 to about 300 and the epoxy hardener has an AHEW in the range of from about 10 to about 300. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the accelerator composition has an AHEW of about 60 or about 81 and the epoxy hardener has an AHEW of about 60 or about 81.