Thermosetting systems amino resins

Both thermoset and thermoplastic resin systems are employed in the construction of composites (Table 8.3). The most common thermoset resins are polyimides, unsaturated polyesters, epoxys, PFs, and amino-formaldehydes. A wide variety of thermoplastic resins have been developed. 

Thermosetting (crosslinking) acrylics normally require a crossUnker to be present. Their actual cure behaviour is dependent upon the pendant (side chain) functionality of the copolymerised co-monomers. Acrylamide will crosslink with itself, epoxy or amino resins, whilst amino or melamine crosslinkers will react with hydroxyl or acid groups. Isocyanates can react with hydroxyl groups at room temperature. To reduce the hazards of isocyanates and the inconvenience of two pack systems, blocked isocyanates can be used. At elevated temperatures used for stoving they can unblock generating an alcohol and an isocyanate which will react with any hydroxyl or acid groups on the acryUc resin. 

Thermosetting acrylic binder systems utilize copolymers of functional and nonfunctional acrylic (or similar) monomers. The functional monomers are incorporated for reactivity with crosslinkers. The most common functional monomer for reactions is the hydroxyl group. The hydroxyl groups on the acrylic copolymers react with melamine and urea resins (amino resins) and with polyisocyanates. These reactions are shown in Figure 11. The reaction of hydroxy functional polymers with amino resins require acid catalysis and heat. The reaction with polyisocyanates can occur at room temperature as well as at higher temperatures. A number of materials will catalyze the hydroxyl/isocyanate reaction (organotin compounds, acids, amines, metal salts, etc.)(9). 

Two chemical types generally used for pipeline repair arc epoxy and polyurethane (PU) resins. PUs have the advantage of curing at ambient temperatures via water activation, but the downside is that they are also easily hydrolysed in water and they have relatively low Tg values. In contrast, epoxy resins are more moisture stable and can be formulated to provide high Tg and environmental stability using aromatic amino compounds (Klein, 1991 Varma and Gupta, 2000). However, most thermosetting systems can only be applied on dry surfaces and are adversely affected by surface moisture and contaminants. Hence, ProAssure Wrap Extreme is a modified proprietary formulation that enhances adhesion in water environments. 

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