Aliphatic-Cycloaliphatic Epoxy Compounds and Polymers

Abstract

Aliphatic-cycloaliphatic epoxy compounds (ACECs) contain different epoxy groups in the molecule: glycidyl, i.e. 2,3-epoxypropyl groups, and cycloaliphatic, i.e. 1,2-epoxycyclopen-tane or 1,2-epoxycyclohexane rings. The epoxidation of double bonds in cycloolefins was carried out using aqueous peracetic acid (PAA). The synthesis of aqueous PAA is described. The kinetics of the epoxidation of cycloolefins with PAA is reviewed. Various ACECs, their synthesis and properties are given. The ACECs involve, among others, glycidyl ethers and esters, glycidyloxyphenyl derivatives, cyanoethylated compounds, imide ring-containing products and aliphatic-cycloaliphatic epoxy oligomers. The ACECs were crosslinked with acid anhydrides, amines and phenol-formaldehyde oligomers. The effect of the structure of the ACECs and of the curing agents on the properties of the cast crosslinked polymers and the composites with the ACEC based polymer matrix is discussed. The advantageous effect of the addition of ACECs on the properties of cycloaliphatic epoxy compounds (CECs) is presented. It is assumed that the different reactivity of glycidyl and cycloaliphatic epoxy groups results in an increased structural regularity of the crosslinked ACECs, thus improving the mechanical and thermal properties. The effect of modification of epoxy compounds and resins with ACECs on their properties is considered.