Prolongation of curing of epoxy-novolac vinyl ester resin with transition metal acetylacetonates

The effect of transition metal (Fe, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, Mn) acetylacetonates on curing of epoxy-novolac vinyl ester resin was studied. The resin gel time was determined by the method for monitoring gelation of liquids with increased viscosity, and the influence of the structure and concentration of metal acetylacetonates on the process was examined. Nickel acetylacetonate inhibits the curing, whereas cobalt acetylacetonate ensures relatively fast process completion and can be used as curing accelerator. Iron and chromium acetylacetonates prolong the process. The curing time can be regulated by varying the amount of the additive.