Synopsis

Cashew nutshell Liquid (CNSL) is an annually renewable, non-food chain bio-based feedstock found in the honeycomb structure of the cashew nutshell. CNSL-based epoxies and curing agents have been widely utilized in epoxy formulations to balance strength and flexibility while improving aging resistances such as thermal, chemical, and anti-corrosion in coatings and adhesives. However, it has been challenging to replace petro-based epoxy resins with CNSL epoxies fully due to shortcomings in glass transition temperature and strength. Cardolite has designed multifunctional CNSL epoxies and CNSL curing agents to address those limitations.

This study investigated the benefits of incorporating CNSL epoxies and curing agents in 1K and 2K epoxy. CNSL epoxies cured with amine curing agents offered improved hydrolytic stability, increased adhesions, and allowed the formulator to create flexible epoxy adhesives. CNSL-based curing agents were tested with CNSL epoxies to achieve higher bio-contents and understand added benefits.