SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXY-RESINS CONTAINING CHROMIUM ACRYLATE

Novel epoxy resins containing chromium acrylate have been synthesized by reacting chromium acrylate with bisphenol-A and excess epichlorohydrin. The quantities such as epoxy equivalent weight, hydroxy content, hydrolyzable chlorine content and viscosity have been determined. The resins have been characterized by IR and H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The cured resins were evaluated for thermal properties. The curing of resins was carried out with Ciba Geigy HY 850 (aliphatic amine adduct) at 30-degrees-C for 24 h. The cured resins have excellent thermal and chemical resistance, in addition to an excellent electrical conductivity. The reaction follows first order kinetics with an activation energy of 47 kJ mol-1 and 34 kJ mol-1 in the presence and absence of chromium acrylate, respectively. The chromium forms a complex with bisphenol-A, as indicated by spectroscopic studies, which increases epoxidation.