Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation

Teruko Uchimi Miyazaki

James Edward Hoge

Rajan Eadara

The present invention relates to a process for forming a composite article in a resin transfer molding system. The process includes the steps of providing a fiber preform in a mold, injecting a matrix resin into the mold, allowing the matrix resin to impregnate the fiber preform, and heating the resin impregnated preform to at least about 200.degree. F. for sufficient time to produce at least a partially cured solid article. The matrix resin comprises 1) a liquid epoxy resin component selected from the group of a phenolic novolac epoxy resin,, a cycloaliphatic epoxy resin and mixtures thereof; 2) an epoxy diluent; and 3) at least one latent curing agent that cures only when subjected a temperature of at least about 200.degree. F. The partially cured solid article may be subjected to post-curing operations to produce a final composite article. The present invention also relates to a process for forming a composite article in a vacuum assisted resin transfer mold system.

One component room temperature stable epoxy resin compositions for

The present invention pertains to a one component curable epoxy resin composition which is storage-stable at ambient temperature and which maintains a post-cured high glass transition temperature (Tg) of above 130.degree. C. and a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of less than 1.76.times.10.sup.-5 cm/cm/.degree.C. over a temperature range of -30.degree. to 125.degree. C., and thus finds practical utility in tooling applications. The epoxy resin composition comprises an epoxy resin or mixture thereof, a multifunctional epoxy resin diluent, a boron trichloride amine complex, and at least one filler selected from the group consisting of a silica or a silicate. The invention also relates to the cured product.

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Okemos, MI, United States of America

Teruko Uchimi Miyazaki