Published February 1984
This report, a supplement to Process Economics Program Report No. 38, concerns the technology and the economics of major uncured epoxy resins, namely those based on bisphenol A and those based on novolac. Also covered is the technology for manufacturing other epoxies such as epoxy hydantoin resins, cycloaliphatic epoxy resins, epoxy ester resins, and modified epoxy resins.
Developments since the issuance of PEP Report No. 38 include the two-step process to manufacture a liquid epoxy resin, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, and the advancement process, which produces a solid epoxy resin from the liquid epoxy resin. These two processes have been used commercially. Another newly developed process makes epoxy novolac resin by coupling epichlorohydrin with phenol, followed by condensation with formaldehyde.
SRI evaluated in detail six processes for producing bisphenol A based epoxy resins and epoxy phenolic novolac resins. We updated two additional processes from the previous report. The curing agents and accelerators for the cross-linking of uncured epoxy resins are also reviewed. The compositions of epoxy resins, including the curing agents and other additives, are covered briefly.
Other PEP Related Reports: