Phosphazene-containing amine as curing agent for phthalonitrile-base polymer
OwnerTeddy M. Kellerinventor
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Abstract
Phosphazene-containing amines having at least one amine or substituted amine moiety reactive with nitrile groups of the phthalonitrile monomers or oligomeric resins are useful curing agents for phthalonitriles. Typically, the phosphazene-containing amines useful as curing agents in the present invention have the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of X.sub.1-6 is a hydrogen, an unsubstituted amine group, or an amine group substituted with C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl groups or aromatic groups, at least one of X.sub.1-6 includes an amine group, and each of R'.sub.1-6 is an alkyl, aromatic, or alkyl-substituted aromatic moiety, or a linear polymer of the phosphazene-based amine monomer. The curing agents enhance the speed of cure and also add flame retardancy to the cured polymers.
Claims15
A curable mixture comprising:
- a phthalonitrile, said phthalonitrile having the formula:
- ##STR4## and a phosphazene-consisting amine monomer having the formula:
- ##STR5## in an amount effective to significantly accelerate the heat-curing rate of said phthalonitrile;
- where R is an organic divalent radical, linking the terminal phthalonitrile moieties, which does not interfere with thermal cure of said phthalonitrile by the curing agent;
- each of X.sub.1-6 is a hydrogen, an unsubstituted amine group, or an amine group substituted with C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl groups or aromatic groups;
- at least one of X.sub.1-6 is an amine group;
- and each of R'.sub.1-6 is an alkyl, aromatic, or alkyl-substituted aromatic moiety.
A method for curing a curable phthalonitrile, comprising the steps of:
- mixing, as a curing agent, a phosphazene-containing amine monomer having the formula:
- ##STR6## with said phthalonitrile, said phthalonitrile having the formula:
- ##STR7## in an amount effective to significantly accelerate the heat-curing rate of said phthalonitrile or oligomeric resin, thus forming a mixture;
- thermally curing said mixture at a temperature at which said phthalonitrile cures to a desired viscosity;
- where R is an organic divalent radial, linking the terminal phthalonitrile moieties, which does not interfere with thermal cure of said phthalonitrile by the curing agent;
- each of X.sub.1-6 is a hydrogen, an unsubstituted amine group, or an amine group substituted with C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl groups or aromatic groups;
- at least one of X.sub.1-6 is an amine group;
- and each of R'.sub.1-6 is an alkyl aromatic, or alkyl-substituted aromatic moeity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.