Anhydride epoxy curing agents having imidazole salt additives for epoxy resin systems

Abstract

A curing agent composition including at least one imidazole salt represented by the structure: where R, R′, is H, or alkyl (1-20 carbon atoms) preferably lower alkyl of 1-7 carbon atoms, haloalkyl (1-20 carbon atoms), aryl, hydroxyl alkyl (1-7 carbon atoms), ester group(s), substituted alkyl and X− is a carboxylate anion of 1-40 carbon atoms; and at least one anhydride curing agent. The disclosed imidazole salts when combined with the anhydride curing agent provide improved latency for epoxy systems while maintaining reactivity at elevated temperature. Epoxy compositions, cured epoxy products and methods for forming cured epoxy products are also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.