Improvements to matrix additives

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016369074-A1
Application number	US-201415100303-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 24, 2014
Priority date	Dec 24, 2013
Publication date	Dec 22, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

This invention relates to an additive for a thermoset resin matrix having a core and a reactive cross-linked thermoset coating. The reactive cross-linked thermoset coating is the reaction product of a thermoset resin and a curative in a dispersant.

First claim

1 . An additive for a thermoset resin matrix, said additive having a core and a cross-linked thermoset coating, wherein the cross-linked thermoset coating is the reaction product of a thermoset resin and a curative in a dispersant and wherein said cross-linked thermoset coating comprises reactive groups.

2 . (canceled)

3 . An additive according to claim 1 wherein the core comprises a thermoplastic.

4 . (canceled)

5 . An additive according to claim 1 wherein the core comprises a particulate or a veil.

6 . An additive according to claim 3 wherein the core comprises a polyamide.

7 . An additive according to claim 1 wherein the thermoset resin matrix comprises an epoxy resin or a bismaleimide resin.

8 . (canceled)

9 . (canceled)

10 . An additive according to claim 1 wherein the cross-linked thermoset coating comprises a cured epoxy resin.

11 . (canceled)

12 . (canceled)

13 . An additive according to claim 1 wherein said cross-linked thermoset coating is the reaction product of an epoxy resin and an amine curative, and wherein the reactive groups comprise epoxy groups.

14 . An additive according to claim 1 wherein said cross-linked thermoset coating is the reaction product of an epoxy resin and an amine curative, and wherein the reactive groups comprise amine groups.

15 . (canceled)

16 . A prepreg or cured laminate comprising an additive according to claim 1 .

17 . A method of making an additive for a thermoset resin comprising the steps of:
a) adding a core material to a dispersant; b) adding a thermoset resin and a curing agent to the dispersant; and c) reacting the thermoset resin and the curing agent, until a cross-linked thermoset coating is formed on the core material to thereby form said additive, said cross-linked thermoset coating comprising reactive groups.

18 . A method of making an additive for a thermoset resin according to claim 17 wherein the core material has a melting point of from 150° C. to 200° C.

19 . A method of making an additive for a thermoset resin according to claim 17 wherein the core material comprises a particulate.

20 . A method of making an additive for a thermoset resin according to claim 18 wherein the core material comprises a polyamide.

21 . A method of making an additive for a thermoset resin according to claim 17 wherein the thermoset resin is an epoxy resin.

22 . A method of making an additive for a thermoset resin according to claim 21 wherein curing agent is an amine.

23 . A method of making an additive for a thermoset resin according to claim 22 wherein the thermoset resin is present in the dispersant in a greater than stoichiometric ratio to the curative and wherein the reactive groups comprise epoxy groups.

24 . A method of making an additive for a thermoset resin according to claim 22 wherein the curing agent resin is present in the dispersant in a greater than stoichiometric ratio to the curative and wherein the reactive groups comprise amine groups.

25 . (canceled)

26 . A method of making an additive for a thermoset resin according to claim 17 wherein the dispersant is polypropylene glycol.

27 . A method for making a prepreg comprising the steps of:
a) adding an additive according to claim 1 to a thermosetting resin to form a resin matrix; b) heating the resin matrix to form a heated resin matrix; and c) impregnating reinforcement fibers with the heated resin matrix.

28 . A method of making a prepreg according to claim 27 wherein the temperature of said heated resin matrix is greater than that of the melting point of the core material.

Assignees

• Hexcel Composites Ltd

Inventors

• Hadley Philip
• Tipler Ben
• Blair Dana

Classifications

• C08J2363/00

  Characterised by the use of epoxy resins; Derivatives of epoxy resins · CPC title

• C08J2400/24

  Thermosetting resins · CPC title

• C08J5/10

  characterised by the additives used in the polymer mixture · CPC title

• C08J2377/00

  Characterised by the use of polyamides obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic amide link in the main chain; Derivatives of such polymers · CPC title

• C08J2463/00

  Characterised by the use of epoxy resins; Derivatives of epoxy resins · CPC title