Functionalized crystalline polylactones as tougheners for thermosetting resins
AssigneeClemson University
InventorsShalaby W. Shalaby, Lance A. Monroe
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Abstract
A crystalline polylactone is produced having reactive acrylate end groups. When incorporated into a thermosetting resin which includes reactive C.dbd.CH.sub.2 sites, the present functionalized polylactone acts as a toughener, greatly increasing the impact resistance of the final cured product. Also disclosed are carboxyl-bearing polylactones as tougheners for epoxy resin systems.
Claims12
A toughener for use with a thermosetting resin capable of undergoing addition polymerization comprising a crystalline polylactone having a functional acrylate end group, said functionalized polylactone having an average molecular weight of at least about 10,000.
An internal plasticizer for use in a thermosetting resin, wherein said thermosetting resin includes reactive C.dbd.CH.sub.2 groups, said plasticizer comprising a reactive polymer of the formula:
- ##STR8## wherein R is hydrogen or methyl, R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl and the average value of n is at least 5.
The reaction product of
- (a) caprolactone;
- and
- (b) an acrylate of the formula:
- ##STR9## wherein R is hydrogen or methyl, R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl, and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl;
- wherein the reactants are present in a molar ratio of at least 100 moles of caprolactone per mole of acrylate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.