Epoxy adhesives catalytic-curing agents

Tetraglycidyl ether of tetraphenolethane is an epoxy resin that is noted for high-temperature and high-humidity resistance. It has a functionality of 3.5 and thus exhibits a very dense crosslink structure. It is useful in the preparation of high-temperature adhesives. The resin is commercially available as a solid (e.g., EPON Resin 1031, Resolution Performance Polymers). It can be crosslinked with an aromatic amine or a catalytic curing agent to induce epoxy-to-epoxy homopolymerization. High temperatures are required for these reactions to occur. 

To cine an epoxy adhesive, the epoxy ring must first be opened before polymerization can occur. The epoxy ring may be opened by an acid anhydride or an amine. The four general types of curing agents are aliphatic polyamine, aromatic polyamine, aeid anhydride, and catalytic. 

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