A new phenolic resole curing agent for high performance can coatings based on low VOC content lacquers

The performance of a new co-curing resin is compared with that of commercial phenolic resales in a variety of expoxy/phenolic can coatings. The new material was found to provide flexible coatings having good chemical resistance excellent resistance to overbake. The reactivity of these epoxy/phenolic systems was evaluated by monitoring the viscosity during cure. In addition, it was found that higher solids systems could be formulated by employing epoxy resins with a lower molecular weight than those normally used In can coatings.