# US 2013/0158166 A1 · Curable epoxy composition with quaternary ammonium bicarbonate curing catalyst

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- Number: US 2013/0158166 A1
- Document ID: US20130158166A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/327,792
- Filed: 2011-12-16
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16
- Assignees: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
- Inventors: Pui-Yan Lin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130158166A1

## CPC

- C08G 59/621: {Phenols}
- C08G 59/686: {containing nitrogen}
- C08L 63/00: Compositions of epoxy resins; Compositions of derivatives of epoxy resins
- C09D 163/00: Coating compositions based on epoxy resins; Coating compositions based on derivatives of epoxy resins
- C08G: MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
- C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)
- C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D)

## Abstract

Quaternary ammonium bicarbonates are suitable for use as catalysts in curable epoxy compositions. The curable compositions prepared therewith are used to prepare coated substrates, and to produce conformally sealed printed wiring boards and flexible circuits. Methods for preparation and curing are also provided. Of particular utility are compositions comprising benzytrimethyl ammonium bicarbonate.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A curable composition comprising an epoxy having a plurality of cross-linkable epoxide functional groups, a curing agent, and quaternary ammonium bicarbonate represented by Structure I.
R1R2R3R4N+HCO3− I
wherein each of R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently alkyl, phenyl, alkylbenzene, H, alkoxy, with the proviso that at least one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is not H.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The curable composition of claim 1 wherein the quaternary ammonium bicarbonate is benzyltrimethyl ammonium bicarbonate.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The curable composition of claim 1 wherein the curing agent is phenolic.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The curable composition of claim 1 further comprising a solvent.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The curable composition of claim 1 wherein the epoxy is advanced to 45 to 85% cure.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The curable composition of claim 5 wherein the epoxy is advanced to 55 to 75% cure.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The curable composition of claim 1 wherein the epoxy comprises bisphenol A or bisphenol F.

### Claim 8

The curable composition of claim wherein the epoxy comprises bisphenol A or bisphenol F, the curing agent is phenolic, and the quaternary ammonium bicarbonate is benzyltrimethyl ammonium bicarbonate,

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The curable composition of claim 8 wherein the epoxy is advanced to 55 to 75% cure.

### Claim 10

A method for curing an epoxy composition, the method comprising combining an epoxy having a plurality of cross-linkable epoxide functional groups, a phenolic curing agent, a quaternary ammonium bicarbonate in a solvent to form a reaction mixture, removing said solvent, heating said reaction mixture to a temperature in the range of 120 to 200° C., and maintaining the temperature until the desired level of curing has taken place, wherein the quaternary ammonium bicarbonate is represented by Structure I.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein the quaternary ammonium bicarbonate is benzyltrimethyl ammonium bicarbonate.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein the epoxy is bisphenol A or bisphenol F.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 further comprising heating said reaction mixture to a temperature in the range of 50 to <120° C. until the curing is advanced to 45 to 85% cure prior to heating to a temperature in the range of 120 to 200° C.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13 wherein the curing is advanced to 55 to 75% cure.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13 wherein the epoxy is bisphenol A or bisphenol F, and the quaternary ammonium bicarbonate is benzyltrimethyl ammonium bicarbonate.