Comparative study of styrenated-phenol and nonylphenol as accelerators in solvent-free epoxy primers

Abstract

There have been significant and remarkable developments in the superior thermal and mechanical properties of polyether amine-based epoxy systems, which are frequently used polymers for a wide variety of industrial applications. Accordingly, this study focuses on styrenated phenol, which can be used as an accelerator or plasticizing agent in epoxy systems instead of nonylphenol. More particularly, it concerns the usage of styrenated phenol, which demonstrates excellent curing qualities for an epoxy system when combined with polyether diamine-based epoxy hardener and exhibits similar curing properties with nonylphenol. However, because polyether diamines cure slowly, they are combined with an accelerating agent, such as nonylphenol, which is harmful to the environment and human health. The goal of this research is to investigate the effect of polyether diamine curing chemistry on product performance changes in the epoxy primer at different stoichiometric ratios in the presence of styrenated phenol in the place of nonylphenol. These two raw materials can be used interchangeably, as demonstrated by test results comparing solvent-free epoxy primer to styrenated phenol and nonylphenol in terms of viscosity, compressive and flexural strength, gel time, and Shore D hardness. Consequently, it has been observed that styrenated phenol can be used instead of nonylphenol and that the same performance properties can be obtained. Test results have established that alterations occurred when the stoichiometric ratio of polyether diamine was reduced within limits and modified with a non-reactive diluent such as styrenated phenol in the epoxy-based primers.