Blocked Bio-Based Carboxylic Acids and Their Use in Thermosetting Materials

The invention introduces bio-based polyfunctional carboxylic acids, which are chemically “blocked” by reaction with vinyl ether compounds, resulting in liquid vinyl-ether-blocked carboxylic acid derivatives that are compatible with epoxy resins. When these blocked acids are blended with vegetable-oil-based epoxy resins and thermally cured, they form high-performance thermoset coatings with excellent hardness, solvent resistance, adhesion, and flexibility. The blocking strategy allows for low-viscosity formulation, good mixing, and substrate coating, followed by thermal deblocking and reaction during cure. This enables a renewable-resource drive and provides thermoset coatings that leverage bio-derived building blocks, offering a more sustainable route without compromising performance.

Benefits

• Renewable and sustainable chemistry derived from bio-based carboxylic acids
• Low-viscosity, easily processable formulations suitable for coatings and composites
• Excellent mechanical and chemical resistance after curing
• Strong adhesion and flexibility on diverse substrates
• Controlled curing behavior through thermal deblocking for precision processing
• Compatibility with epoxy and polyester systems for broad formulation versatility
• Reduced environmental impact compared to petrochemical crosslinkers
• High performance at lower VOC content, supporting green manufacturing initiatives

Applications

• Industrial and protective coatings requiring durable, solvent-resistant finishes
• Automotive and transportation coatings with high adhesion and flexibility
• Eco-friendly architectural coatings and sealants with low VOC content
• Composite materials and fiber-reinforced polymers for structural components
• Adhesives and binders using renewable crosslinking chemistry
• Powder coatings and thermoset resins for metal, wood, or plastic substrates
• Electronic encapsulants and coatings needing chemical and thermal stability

Patents

This technology is patented, issued US Patent 9,718,987, and is available for licensing/partnering opportunities.