1. A water-reducible curing agent for epoxy resins, obtained by a reaction of at least one diprimary amine, at least one mono-primary amine and at least one polyepoxy compound, wherein a molar ratio of primary amino groups to the epoxy groups in the reaction is in a range of about 1.7:1 to 1:1, a ratio of primary amines in the diprimary amine to secondary amines optionally present in the diprimary amine is more than 1:1, and a molecular weight of the diprimary amine is 500 Dalton or less.
2. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of the primary amino groups to the epoxy groups in the reaction is about 1.5:1 or less.
3. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of the at least one diprimary amine to the at least one mono-primary amine is at least 1:1.
4. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 1, wherein a mass ratio of the primary amines in the diprimary amine, with regard to the molar mass of the diprimary amines is at least 20% or more.
5. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 1, wherein the diprimary amine is selected from the group consisting of:
ethylene diamine, diethylene triamine, diethylene glycol diamine, 1,2-propylene diamine, 1,3-propylene glycol diamine, dipropylene diamine, 1,2-methyl-1,2-propanediamine, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propane diamine, 1,3-butan diamine, 1,4-butanediamine, 1,3-pentane diamine and 1,5-pentane diamine.
6. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 1, wherein the mono-primary amine in addition contains one or more secondary amines.
7. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 1, wherein the mono-primary amine is selected from the group consisting of:
aminoethyl ethanol amine, ethanol amine, N-ethyl ethylene diamine and N-ethanol-diethylene triamine.
8. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 1, wherein the polyepoxy compound comprises:
a mixture of at least one aromatic diepoxide and at least one aliphatic diepoxide.
9. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 8, wherein the aromatic diepoxide is derived from bisphenol A, bisphenol F or mixtures thereof, which are functionalized with glycidyl groups.
10. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 8, wherein the aliphatic diepoxide includes one or more digylcidethers of \u03b1,\u03c9-alkandiols.
11. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 1, combined as a curing agent in an epoxy resin.
12. A process for preparation of a water-reducible curing agent comprising:
providing at least one diprimary amine and at least one mono-primary amine, wherein a molar ratio of primary amines in the diprimary amine to secondary amines optionally present in a diprimary amine is more than 1:1 and wherein and a molecular weight (Mw) of the diprimary amine is 500 or less;
adding at least one polyepoxy compound to the amines, wherein a molar ratio of the primary amino groups to the epoxy groups employed is in a range of about 1.7:1 to 1:1; and
reacting the amine groups with the epoxy groups.
13. A process for coating a substrate, comprising:
providing a water-reducible curing agent for epoxy resins, obtained by a reaction of at least one diprimary amine, at least one mono-primary amine and at least one polyepoxy compound, wherein a molar ratio of primary amino groups to the epoxy groups in the reaction is in a range of about 1.7:1 to 1:1, a ratio of primary amines in the diprimary amine to secondary amines optionally present in the diprimary amine is more than 1:1, and a molecular weight of the diprimary amine is 500 Dalton or less;
mixing the water-reducible curing agent with an epoxy resin; and
applying a resulting mixture to a surface of the substrate and curing the applied mixture.
14. A substrate with an epoxy resin coating obtainable by a process according to claim 13.
15. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of the primary amino groups to the epoxy groups in the reaction is about 1.4:1 or less.
16. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of the at least one diprimary amine to the at least one mono-primary amine is at least 2:1.
17. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of the at least one diprimary amine to the at least one mono-primary amine is at least 4:1.
18. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 1, combined as a curing agent in a water-based epoxy resin.
19. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 1, combined as a curing agent in a self-levelling water-based epoxy resin.
20. A water-reducible curing agent according to claim 2, wherein the molar ratio of the at least one diprimary amine to the at least one mon-primary amine is at least 1:1.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An environmentally degradable molded or extruded article comprising:
at least 5% parts by weight of an environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer; and
at least 20% parts by weight of a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising at least two randomly repeating monomer units
wherein a first monomer unit has structure (I)
where R1 is H, or C1 or C2 alkyl, and n is 1 or 2; and
wherein a second monomer unit has structure (II)
where R2 is a C3\u2013C19 alkyl or C3\u2013C19 alkenyl,
or the second monomer unit has structure (III)
where m is from 2 to 9
wherein at least 80% of the randomly repeating monomer units has the structure of the first monomer unit;
wherein an annealing cycle time to form the molded or extruded article is at least ten seconds less than an annealing cycle time to form a molded or extruded article lacking the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer.
2. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 1 wherein the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer is a diaciddiol aliphatic polyester, an aliphaticaromatic copolyester, a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid, starch, or a combination thereof.
3. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 1 wherein the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer is polybutylene succinateadipate copolymer, polylactide, polycaprolactone, or polyethylene succinate.
4. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 1 wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer is a first polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer, and the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer is a second polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer having randomly repeating monomer units (I) and (II) and having a percentage of units of structure (II) that is other than the percentage of units of structure (II) present in the first polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer.
5. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 1 wherein R1 is CH3, n is 1 and the second monomer unit has structure II wherein R2 is straight-chain or branched C3 alkyl.
6. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 3 wherein the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer is polylactide polymer or copolymer.
7. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 2 wherein the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer is starch.
8. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 1 in the form of a flushable tampon applicator.
9. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 1 further comprising a processing aid.
10. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 9 wherein the processing aid is a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of dimethyl sebacate, glycerin, triacetin, glycerol, monostearate, sorbitol, erythritol, glucidol, mannitol, sucrose, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, diethylene glycol dibenzoate, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, triethylene glycol caprate-caprylate, butylene glycol, pentamethylene glycol, hexamethylene glycol, diisobutyl adipate, oleic amide, erucic amide, palmitic amide, dimethyl acetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl pyrrolidone, tetramethylene sulfone, oxa monoacids, oxa diacids, polyoxa diacids, diglycolic acids, triethyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, tri-n-butyl citrate, acetyl tri-n-butyl citrate, acetyl tri-n-hexyl citrate, alkyl lactates, phthalate polyesters, adipate polyesters, glutate polyesters, diisononyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, dihexyl phthalate, alkyl alylether diester adipate, dibutoxyethoxyethyl adipate, and mixtures thereof.
11. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 9 wherein the processing aid is a nucleating agent selected from the group of polyhydroxybutyrate, sorbitol acetal, boron nitride, titanium oxide, talc, clay, calcium carbonate, sodium chloride, metal phosphate, and mixtures thereof.
12. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 9 wherein the processing aid is a filler selected from the group consisting of clays, silica, mica, wollastonite, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, barium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, kaolin, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum hydroxide, talc, titanium dioxide, wood flour, walnut shell flour, alpha cellulose floc, cellulose fibers, chitin, chitosan powders, organosilicone powders, nylon powders, polyester powders, polypropylene powders, starches and the mixtures thereof.
13. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 9 wherein the processing aid is a lubricant selected from the group consisting of metal soaps, hydrocarbon waxes, fatty acids, long-chain alcohols, fatty acid esters, fatty acid amides, silicones, fluorochemicals, acrylics, and mixtures thereof.
14. An environmentally degradable molded or extruded article comprising:
at least 5% parts by weight of an environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer; and
at least 20% parts by weight of a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising at least two randomly repeating monomer units
wherein a first monomer unit has structure (I)
where R1 is CH3, and n is 1; and
wherein a second monomer unit has structure (II)
where R2 is C3 alkyl,
wherein up to 20% of the randomly repeating monomer units has the structure of the second monomer unit.
15. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 14 wherein an annealing cycle time to form the molded or extruded article is at least ten seconds less than an annealing cycle time to form a molded or extruded article lacking the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer.
16. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 15 wherein the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer is a diaciddiol aliphatic polyester, an aliphaticaromatic copolyester, or a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid, starch, or a combination thereof.
17. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 15 wherein the article is a tampon applicator and the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer is polybutylene succinateadipate copolymer, or polylactide.
18. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 15 wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer is a first polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer, and the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer is a second polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer having randomly repeating monomer units (I) and (II) and having a percentage of units of structure (II) that is less than the percentage of units of structure (II) present in the first polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer.
19. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 15 wherein the article is a tampon applicator.
20. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 15 wherein the annealing cycle time for the molded or extruded article comprising the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer is at least 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 seconds less than an annealing cycle time to form an environmentally degradable molded or extruded article lacking the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer.
21. An environmentally degradable molded or extruded article comprising:
a first polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising at least two randomly repeating monomer units
wherein a first monomer unit has structure (I)
where R1 is CH3, and n is 1; and
wherein a second monomer unit has structure (II)
where R2 is C3 alkyl,
wherein less than 20% of the randomly repeating monomer units has structure (II); and
a second polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising at least two randomly repeating monomer units (I) and (II) as recited above wherein the percentage of units of structure (II) is other than the percentage of units of structure (II) present in the first polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer.
22. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 21 wherein an annealing cycle time to form the molded or extruded article is at least ten seconds less than an annealing cycle time to form a molded or extruded article lacking the second polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer.
23. The environmentally degradable molded or extruded article of claim 22 wherein the first polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer has a percentage of monomer unit structure (II) of 10\u201318% and wherein the second polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer has a percentage of monomer unit structure (II) of 2\u20138%.
24. A flushable tampon applicator comprising:
at least 5% parts by weight of an environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer; and
at least 20% parts by weight of a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising at least two randomly repeating monomer units
wherein a first monomer unit has structure (I)
where R1 is H, or C1 or C2 alkyl, and n is 1 or 2; and
wherein a second monomer unit has structure (II)
where R2 is a C3\u2013C19 alkyl or C3\u2013C19 alkenyl,
or the second monomer unit has structure (III)
where m is from 2 to 9
wherein at least 80% of the randomly repeating monomer units has the structure of the first monomer unit; and
wherein the applicator is greater than 50% disintegrated within 28 days under anaerobic disintegration conditions.
25. The flushable tampon applicator of claim 24 wherein the applicator is greater than 60% disintegrated within 28 days under anaerobic disintegration conditions.
26. The flushable tampon applicator of claim 24 wherein the applicator is greater than 80% disintegrated within 28 days under anaerobic disintegration conditions.
27. A process of forming an environmentally degradable molded or extruded article, comprising:
heating to a molten state
at least 5 % parts by weight of an environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer; and
at least 20 % parts by weight of a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising
at least two randomly repeating monomer units
wherein a first monomer unit has structure (I)
where R1 is H, or C1 or C2 alkyl, and n is 1 or 2; and
wherein a second monomer unit has structure (II)
where R2 is a C3\u2013C19 alkyl or C3\u2013C19 alkenyl,
or the second monomer unit has structure (III)
where m is from 2 to 9
wherein at least 80% of the randomly repeating monomer units has the structure of the first monomer unit to form a blend,
allowing the melted blend to anneal; and
molding or extruding the article, the process having an annealing cycle time that is at least ten seconds less than an annealing cycle time to form a molded or extruded article lacking the environmentally degradable thermosplastic polymer or copolymer.