Decorative Epoxy Resin Aggregate Binder Formulation

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to curable epoxy resin systems. More particularly it relates to clear, non-yellowing epoxy resin formulations which cure to bind aggregate such as decorative pebbles to a surface.

2. Prior Art

Epoxy resins constitute a broad class of polymeric materials having a wide range of physical characteristics. The resins are characterized by epoxide groups which are cured by reaction with certain catalysts or curing agents to provide cured epoxy resin compositions with certain desirable properties. One such class of curing agents is the anydrides. Another is the amines. It it known however that anhydrides and amines form clear coatings which yellow and deteriorate with time in the presence of sunlight. The problem of yellowing has been compensated for by the inclusion of UV absorbers or light stabilizers into the epoxy resin formulation. These additive materials are expensive which has prevented their use to cover large surfaces such as patios and driveways of residential houses. The problem has also been compensated for by using epoxy binders only on dark colored materials where the effect of yellowing is less detrimental to the appearance of the surface.

There is a need in the art for an inexpensive clear epoxy resin formulation for binding colored aggregate, particularly light colored materials, used outdoors and on surfaces exposed to sunlight which will not significantly yellow with time.

The present invention is a decorative aggregate binder formulation comprising aggregate, a polyepoxide and a stoichiometric amount of a novel curative. The polyepoxide is a vicinal polyepoxide having an average of at least 1.8 reactive 1,2-epoxy groups per molecule. The curative comprises: (i) 20 to 30 parts by weight (pbw) of a first diamine of the general formula:

wherein x averages from 1 to 6; (ii) 12 to 50 pbw of nonylphenol; and (iii) 2 to 8 pbw m-xylylenediamine.

The invention is particularly useful for binding an aggregate such as colored pebbles to an outdoor patio, poolside deck or driveway in a decorative, non-yellowing coating.

The present invention is an epoxy resin composition comprising:

(a) a vicinal polyepoxide having an average of at least 1.8 reactive 1,2-epoxy groups per molecule; and

(b) a stoichiometric amount of a curing agent comprising:

(i) 20 to 30 parts by weight (pbw) of a first diamine of the general formula:

wherein x averages from 1 to 6 preferably 2 to 3;

(ii) 12 to 50 preferably 20 to 30 pbw of nonylphenol; and

(iii) 2 to 8 preferably 3 to 6 pbw of m-xylylenediamine.

Generally the vicinal polyepoxide containing compositions which may be cured with the products of the invention are organic materials having an average of at least 1.8 reactive 1,2-epoxy groups per molecule. These polyepoxide materials can be monomeric or polymeric, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic, and may be substituted if desired with other substituents besides the epoxy groups, e.g., hydroxyl groups, ether radicals, aromatic halogen atoms and the like.

Preferred polyepoxides are those of glycidyl ethers prepared by epoxidizing the corresponding allyl ethers or reacting, by known procedures, a molar excess of epichlorohydrin and an aromatic polyhydroxy compound, i.e., isopropylidene bisphenol, novolac, resorcinol, etc. The epoxy derivatives of methylene or isopropylidene bisphenols are especially preferred.

A widely used class of polyepoxides which are useful according to the instant invention includes the resinous epoxy polyethers obtained by reacting an epihalohydrin, such as epichlorohydrin, and the like, with either a polyhydric phenol or a polyhydric alcohol. Typically the epoxy resins have an average of at least 1.8 reactive, 1,2-epoxy groups per molecule. An illustrative, but by no means exhaustive, listing of suitable dihydric phenols includes 4,4'-isopropylidene bisphenol, 2,4'-dihydroxydiphenylethyl methane, 3,3'-dihydroxydiphenyldiethylmethane, 3,4'-dihydroxydiphenylmethylpropylmethane, 2,3'-dihydroxydiphenylethylphenylmethane, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylpropylphenyl-methane, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylbutylphenylmethane, 2,2'-dihydroxydiphenylditolylmethane, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyltolylmethylmethane and the like. Other polyhydric phenols which may also be co-reacted with an epihalohydrin to provide these epoxy polyethers are such compounds as resorcinol, hydroquinone, substituted hydroquinones, e.g., methylhydroquinone, and the like.

Among the polyhydric alcohols which can be co-reacted with an epihalohydrin to provide these resinous epoxy polyethers are such compounds as ethylene glycol, propylene glycols, butylene glycols, pentane diols, bis(4-hydroxycyclohexy)dimethylmethane, 1,4-dimethylolbenzene, glycerol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, trimethylolpropane, mannitol, sorbitol, erythritol, pentaerythritol, their dimers, trimers and higher polymers, e.g., polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, triglycerol, dipentaerythrital and the like, polyallyl alcohol, polyhydric thioethers, such as 2,2'-,3,3'-tetrahydroxydipropylsulfide and the like, mercapto alcohols such as monothioglycerol, dithioglycerol and the like, polyhydric alcohol partial esters, such as monostearin, pentaerythritol monoacetate and the like, and halogenated polyhydric alcohols such as the monochlorohydrins of glycerol, sorbitol, pentaerythritol and the like.

Another class of polymeric polyepoxides which can be cured by the products of the invention in accordance with the present invention includes the epoxy novolac resins obtained by reacting, preferably in the presence of a basic catalyst, e.g., sodium or potassium hydroxide, an epihalohydrin, such as epichlorohydrin, with the resinous condensate of an aldehyde, e.g., formaldehyde, and either a monohydric phenol, e.g., phenol itself, or a polyhydric phenol. Further details concerning the nature and preparation of these epoxy novolac resins can be obtained in Lee, H. and Neville, K., Handbook of Epoxy Resins, McGraw Hill Book Co., New York, 1967. PG,7

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the polyepoxide compositions which are useful according to the practice of the present invention are not limited to those containing the above described polyepoxides, but that these polyepoxides are to be considered merely as being representative of the class of polyepoxides as a whole.

The novel curative of the present invention is reacted at ambient temperature and in a stoichiometric amount with the polyepoxide. The novel curative is:

(i) 20 to 30 parts by the weight (pbw) of a first diamine of the general formula:

wherein x averages from 1 to 6;

(ii) 12 to 50 pbw of nonylphenol; and

(iii) 2 to 8 pbw of m-xylylenediamine.

The first diamine of the present invention is a group of polyoxypropylene derived diamines wherein x averages from 1 to 6, preferably 2 to 3, most preferably 2.6. When x averages 2.6, the average molecular weight of the first diamine is 230. These first diamines are available commercially from Texaco Chemical Company under the tradename JEFFAMINE.RTM. D-230.

The nonylphenol is added to the curative to improve strength weathering properties and gloss. Up to certain levels, nonylphenol contributes beneficial properties which contribute to a good bonded aggregate system. As the level of nonylphenol is increased the viscosity of the system increases. This causes a thicker coating to be deposited on the aggregate which improves weathering properties. Shorter gel times (pot life) are also the result of increasing nonylphenol levels. This shortened pot life means shorter drying or tack-free times. Although variations in nonylphenol level does not measurably affect final surface hardness, the most flexible systems are achieved with the most nonylphenol. Coating adhesion is not improved with varying the amount of nonylphenol.

Preferred nonylphenol concentration is found to lie in the 20 to 30 pbw range. It has been found that optimum properties are achieved when the amount of nonylphenol approximately equals the amount of first amine. Up to a certain nonylphenol level, strength properties are increased and modulus values are decreased, indicating stronger, more flexible systems. However, above that level, both strength and modulus values decrease sharply. Also, the heat deflection temperature decreases with very high nonylphenol levels. Impact and compression strength values are largely unchanged over a range of nonylphenol concentrations. With equal parts by weight of first amine and nonylphenol, the system is an excellent compromise between strength and weathering properties. The system cures in a reasonable length of time as shown in the Example and still has enough working time for relatively simple installation of the aggregate/binder formulation. Too, the system is flexible enough to allow for expansion and contraction with temperature changes. Also, the system maintains a high gloss for a long period of time.

The active ingredient which prevents yellowing in the present invention is m-xylylenediamine. It has been found that m-xylylenediamine produces superior results in stabilizing optical yellowing whereas similar compounds displayed no ability to stabilize yellowing over a 15-day test in which white ceramic tiles were coated with formulations and then exposed to sunlight.

When incorporated in an amount 2 to 8 parts by weight, preferably 3 to 6 parts by weight, formulations of the present invention display reduced yellowing on exposure to sunlight. The coatings were hard, flexible and retained a glossy appearance, properties which make them a good decorative coating. These coatings may be used alone or they may be used to bind aggregate to surfaces, typically cleaned cement surfaces. Aggregate may be colored pebbles, stones or shell. Metallic flecs, colored plastic flecs, decorated (printed) paper, wood or wooden chips (chipboard) may be coated.

The curing agents are admixed with the polyepoxide composition in an amount according to the equivalent weight of the curing agents employed. Generally the number of equivalents of amine groups is equal to slightly less than the number of epoxide equivalents present in the curable epoxy resin composition, with a stoichiometric amount being preferred.

The constituents forming the curable material are intimately mixed by standard methods. Finally, in curing the epoxy resin, the reactants are simply admixed in correct equivalent ratios and then combined with aggregate before being applied to the surface. Curing is effected at temperatures of 55.degree. F. or greater in the atmosphere. Ambient temperatures of greater than 80.degree. F. will cause a reduction in pot life (working time) for the epoxy-aggregate system.

The properties of the present invention are better shown by way of example.

The supplementary data shows the effect of nonylphenol in a decorative aggregate binder formulation.

Up to certain levels, nonylphenol contributes significantly and positively to many of the properties which characterize a good bonded aggregate system. Of the formulations given in this supplementary data, Formulation D represents the best combination of all the properties considered.

The principle of the invention and the best mode contemplated for applying the principle have been described. It is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative only and that other means and techniques can be employed without departing from the true scope of the invention defined in the following claims.