Patent Description:
The present application relates to an adhesive composition.

Adhesives comprising epoxy resins, that is, epoxy resin-based adhesives, have high heat resistance and excellent adhesion strength and thus are used to bond or join various kinds of base materials. For example, recently, the epoxy resin-based adhesives have been used for metal-metal joining or metal-plastic joining, and the like. In particular, when the epoxy resin-based adhesives are used in the automotive industry, there is an advantage that the cost can be reduced and the weight of the vehicle body can be reduced by reducing the number of welds required for manufacturing vehicle body frames. As a result, there is a growing expectation for application of epoxy resin adhesives in aerospace or wind power generation.

In consideration of accidents such as collisions, the epoxy resin-based adhesives used for automobiles require not only excellent adhesion strength but also impact-resistant strength. Then, these characteristics should be maintained uniformly over a wide range of temperatures in which automobiles are actually used, for example about -<NUM> to <NUM>. However, the epoxy resin-based adhesives according to the prior art have a problem that they do not provide sufficient strength for low temperature conditions such as -<NUM>.

<CIT> discloses an adhesive composition comprising an epoxy resin.

It is one object of the present application to provide an epoxy resin-based adhesive composition.

It is another object of the present application to provide an adhesive composition that provides excellent adhesion strength, impact strength and shear strength over a wide temperature range.

The above objects and other objects of the present application can all be solved by the present application described in detail below.

The present application relates to an adhesive composition comprising an epoxy-based resin. The adhesive composition may be used to bond homogeneous or heterogeneous base materials after curing. For example, the base material may comprise a metal component or a plastic component, whereby the adhesive composition may be used for metal-metal joining, metal-plastic joining or plastic-plastic joining, and the like. A joining body (hereinafter, may be referred to as a composite or a structure) of such a base material can be used, for example, as a component of an automobile or the like.

The present invention relates to an adhesive composition as defined in the claims. The adhesive composition comprises (a) one or more epoxy resins, (b) a modified epoxy resin having a polyether structure, (c) a core-shell rubber in the form of secondary particles in which two or more core-shell rubbers in the form of primary particles are aggregated, and (d) one or more epoxy curing agents. The adhesive composition of the present application comprising all of these configurations can provide excellent adhesion strength, impact-resistant strength and shear strength uniformly for a structure formed using the cured product of the adhesive composition from a low temperature such as -<NUM> to a high temperature such as <NUM>.

When all the (a) to (d) configurations are included, the specific structure of the epoxy resin used for the adhesive composition of the present application is not particularly limited. For example, the epoxy resin may be an epoxy resin having a saturated or unsaturated group, and may be an epoxy resin containing a cyclic structure or an acyclic structure. In addition, the specific kind of the epoxy resin used in the present application is not particularly limited either. For example, the epoxy resin may include a bisphenol-based epoxy resin such as bisphenol A series or bisphenol F series; a novolac-based epoxy resin; or an oxazolidone-containing epoxy resin, and the like.

In the present application, the epoxy resin (a) may be used to generically mean an epoxy resin that does not have the properties of the modified epoxy resin (b) described below.

In one example, the epoxy resin may include a bisphenol A-based epoxy resin and/or a bisphenol F-based resin. For example, the trade name YD-<NUM>, YDF-<NUM> or YD-<NUM> from Kukdo Chemical, and the like can be used.

In one example, the epoxy resin (a) may include a bisphenol A-based epoxy resin and/or a bisphenol F-based resin, having an epoxy equivalent of less than <NUM>. The epoxy equivalent of the epoxy resin used within the above range is not limited. For example, the epoxy equivalent of the epoxy resin may be <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, or <NUM> or less. Although not particularly limited, the epoxy equivalent lower limit of the epoxy resin may be <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more.

In one example, the adhesive composition may comprise two or more epoxy resins that one or more features selected from an epoxy equivalent, a molecular weight or a viscosity are different from each other.

In one example, the adhesive composition may comprise two or more resins having different epoxy equivalents from each other. For example, within the epoxy equivalent range in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, two or more epoxy resins having different equivalents from each other may be used. That is, the adhesive may comprise an epoxy resin mixture (a) in which two or more resins having different equivalents from each other are mixed.

In one example, the epoxy resin mixture (a) may comprise one or more epoxy resins having an epoxy equivalent of <NUM> or more. For example, the epoxy equivalent of the epoxy resin may be <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more. Although not particularly limited, the epoxy equivalent upper limit of the resin may be <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, or <NUM> or less.

In one example, the epoxy resin mixture (a) may comprise one or more epoxy resins having an epoxy equivalent of <NUM> or more and one or more epoxy resins having an epoxy equivalent of <NUM> or less.

In one example, the adhesive composition may comprise a bisphenol-based A resin as an epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of less than <NUM>.

In another example, the adhesive composition may further comprise a bisphenol-based A resin as the epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of <NUM> or more.

In one example, the adhesive composition may comprise a bisphenol-based F-based resin as the epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of less than <NUM>.

In another example, the adhesive composition may further comprise a bisphenol-based F-based resin as the epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of <NUM> or more.

In one example, the adhesive composition may comprise both of the bisphenol A-based resin and F-based resin satisfying the above equivalent.

When the epoxy equivalent increases, the crosslinking density may generally decrease while the viscosity increases, and the strength observed after the composition has cured may also be somewhat poor. In addition, when the epoxy equivalent decreases, there is a problem that cannot fully expect the effect of using the epoxy-based adhesive. However, when the resins having a predetermined epoxy equivalent as above are mixed and used, there is an advantage that can solve the above problems.

In one example, the adhesive composition may comprise an epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of less than <NUM> in an amount of <NUM> parts by weight or more relative to the total content of the adhesive composition. Specifically, the adhesive composition may comprise an epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of less than <NUM> in an amount of <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, or <NUM> parts by weight or more. The content upper limit of the epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of less than <NUM> is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less.

In one example, the adhesive composition may comprise an epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of <NUM> or more in an amount of <NUM> part by weight or more relative to the total content of the adhesive composition. Specifically, the adhesive composition may comprise an epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of <NUM> or more in an amount of <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, or <NUM> parts by weight or more. The content upper limit of the epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of <NUM> or more is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less.

In one example, the epoxy resin or the epoxy resin mixture may be used in an amount of <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, or <NUM> parts by weight or more, relative to the content of the total adhesive composition. The upper limit thereof is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less.

In the present application, the adhesive composition may comprise a mono epoxy resin. In the present application, the mono epoxy resin may mean a resin having one epoxy functional group in the molecule. The mono epoxy resin is capable of lowering the viscosity of the adhesive, and is advantageous in improving wettability, impact characteristics or adhesion (peeling) characteristics by adjusting the crosslinking density. The mono epoxy resin may be referred to as a so-called diluent.

In one example, the mono epoxy resin may be used in an amount of <NUM> parts by weight or less relative to the total content of the adhesive composition. Specifically, the content of the mono epoxy resin may be, for example, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less. The lower limit is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, <NUM> parts by weight or more.

The modified epoxy resin is a polyether modified epoxy resin as recited in the claims. The modified epoxy resin is a resin obtained by reacting an amine-terminated polymer, that is, an amine-terminated polyether with one or more epoxy resins, that is, a reactant thereof.

The amine-terminated polyether is a polyalkylene glycol such as polypropylene glycol, and the epoxy resin reacting with this may be a bisphenol A-based epoxy resin or F-based epoxy resin satisfying the equivalent.

In one example, the polyether modified epoxy resin is a modified epoxy resin comprising an amine-terminated polyalkylene glycol unit having an amine equivalent in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> and a unit of a bisphenol A or bisphenol F epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>. In the present application, the fact that the resin contains a predetermined unit may mean a state where in a resin structure (main chain or side chain) formed by reacting one or more compounds, the unit derived as the compounds are polymerized is included therein.

In one example, the amine equivalent of the amine-terminated polyalkylene glycol may be <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more, and may be <NUM>,<NUM> or less, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, or <NUM>,<NUM> or less.

In one example, in the polyether modified epoxy resin, the molar ratio (amine: epoxy) of the amine and the epoxy may be <NUM>:<NUM> or more. More specifically, the ratio may be <NUM>:<NUM> or more, <NUM>:<NUM> or more, <NUM>:<NUM> or more, <NUM>:<NUM> or more, <NUM>:<NUM> or more, or <NUM>:<NUM> or more. The upper limit thereof is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, <NUM>:<NUM>. When the above range is satisfied, an excessive increase in molecular weight can be suppressed, and the effect of using the modified epoxy can be increased.

In one example, the polyalkylene glycol used to form the modified epoxy resin may have a weight average molecular weight in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>. The weight average molecular weight may be a polystyrene conversion molecular weight measured by GPC. When the above range is satisfied, it is possible to simultaneously increase adhesion strength and impact strength of the adhesive while properly adjusting mechanical strength and shear strength.

The adhesive composition may comprise <NUM> parts by weight or less of the polyether modified epoxy resin based on the content of the entire adhesive composition. For example, the content upper limit of the modified epoxy resin may be, for example, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less. Although not particularly limited, the content lower limit of the polyether modified epoxy resin may be, for example, <NUM> part by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, or <NUM> parts by weight or more. When the use content of the modified epoxy resin is less than the above range, the effect of improving the impact strength is not sufficient, and when it exceeds the above range, the mechanical strength and the shear strength of the adhesive are greatly lowered.

The adhesive composition comprises a core-shell rubber in the form of secondary particles in which two or more core-shell rubbers in the form of primary particles are aggregated.

In the present application, the "core-shell rubber" may mean a particulate (solid) material having a rubber component in a core portion and having a structure in which a shell material is grafted or crosslinked to the core.

Then, in the present application, the "core-shell rubber in the form of primary particles" may mean each unit body having the core-shell structure, and the "core-shell rubber in the form of secondary particles" may mean an aggregate (or conglomerate) formed by clumping two or more core-shell rubbers (particles) in the form of primary particles together. The core-shell rubbers may be dispersed and present in the adhesive composition.

In one example, the core-shell rubber particles in the primary form and the core-shell rubber particles in the secondary form can be prepared according to the methods described in the following examples. In this case, the aggregated rubbers in the secondary form produced by a polymerization reaction can be separated into smaller aggregated rubbers through a kneader such as a planetary mixer. In one example, all of the aggregated particles may not be separated in the form of complete primary particles, and some of the secondary particles may be separated into primary particles and present in a mixed form of primary and secondary particles. In accordance with the invention, the weight ratio of the primary particles is <NUM> wt% or less, or <NUM> wt% or less, relative to the total content of the core-shell rubbers. In one example, the weight ratio of the primary particles may be substantially <NUM> wt%. Alternatively, the weight ratio of the primary particles may be, for example, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, or <NUM> wt%.

In another example, the core-shell rubber particles in the primary form and the core-shell rubber particles in the secondary form may be prepared through a separate process.

The core may comprise a polymer of a diene-based monomer, or may comprise a copolymer of a diene-based monomer and a heterogeneous monomer component (not diene-based). Although not particularly limited, for example, butadiene or isoprene may be used as the diene-based monomer.

In one example, the core may be a butadiene-based core. For example, the core may comprise a polymer of butadiene. In addition, the core may comprise a copolymer of butadiene and another ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The ethylenically unsaturated monomer used upon core formation can be exemplified by a vinyl-based aromatic monomer, (methyl)acrylonitrile, an alkyl (meth)acrylate, and the like, but is not particularly limited thereto.

In one example, when the alkyl (meth)acrylate is additionally used in core formation, a different kind of alkyl (meth)acrylate from an alkyl (meth)acrylate used for shell formation, which is described below, can be used in the core.

The shell grafted or crosslinked to the core may comprise an alkyl (meth)acrylate unit. The fact that the shell comprises an alkyl (meth)acrylate unit means that an alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer can be used upon forming a shell polymer that is crosslinked or grafted to the core. In one example, as the alkyl (meth)acrylate, a lower alkyl (meth)acrylate having an alkyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate or t-butyl methacrylate can be used, without being limited to the above-listed monomers.

The shell may further comprise a vinylidene-based monomer unit. For example, it may further comprise a unit of an aromatic vinyl monomer such as styrene, vinyl acetate or vinyl chloride. Although not particularly limited, in one example, the shell may comprise an alkyl (meth)acrylate unit and an aromatic vinyl monomer unit.

In one example, the core and shell may have a predetermined glass transition temperature (Tg). For example, the glass transition temperature (Tg) lower limit of the core may be -<NUM> or more, -<NUM> or more, or -<NUM> or more. Although not particularly limited, the glass transition temperature upper limit of the core may be -<NUM> or less, -<NUM> or less, - <NUM> or less, or -<NUM> or less. In addition, the shell may have, for example, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more. Although not particularly limited, the glass transition temperature upper limit of the shell may be <NUM> or less. The glass transition temperature can be measured according to a known method, and for example, can be measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

In one example, the core-shell rubber in the form of primary particles may have a ratio of the core particle diameter to the total core-shell particle diameter (= thickness ratio of the core in the core-shell, R) of <NUM> or more.

In the present application, the "particle diameter" may be used to mean a diameter of a particle-shaped (for example, spherical or ellipsoidal) core-shell rubber or the configuration thereof, and may mean the length of the longest dimension when the shape of the core-shell rubber is not completely spherical or ellipsoidal. The particle diameter-related features may be measured using known equipment, and for example, dynamic lighting scattering or laser diffraction equipment and the like may be used to identify the particle diameter-related features. Unless specifically defined, the particle diameter of the particles or particle size of the particles may be used in the sense of the average particle diameter to be described below.

For example, the ratio of the core particle diameter to the total core-shell particle diameter may be <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more. The upper limit of the ratio may be, for example, <NUM>, and specifically, may be <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, or <NUM> or less. In the case of commercialized core-shell products, they do not satisfy the above range in many cases, so that the impact absorption function by the rubber is not sufficient, but the core-shell rubber satisfying the above range can sufficiently absorb the impact applied to the structure. In particular, when the ratio of the core exceeds <NUM>, it becomes difficult for the shell to surround the core part while the thickness of the shell becomes thin, whereby a decrease in compatibility with the epoxy resin or a decrease in dispersibility may occur. In addition, when the ratio of the core is less than <NUM>, the effect of improving the impact strength is insufficient.

For example, when the core-shell rubber in the form of primary particles has an average particle diameter of <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more, and for example, the upper limit thereof is <NUM> or less or <NUM> or less, specifically, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, or <NUM> or less, the core-shell rubber in the form of primary particles may have a size that can satisfy the above ratio (R). At this time, the 'average particle diameter" means the diameter that the particle with <NUM>% of the cumulative weight (mass) in the particle size distribution curve has (passes). For example, the core of the core-shell rubber in the form of primary particles may have an average particle diameter of <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, and the upper limit thereof may be, for example, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, specifically, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or <NUM> or less. In the case of commercialized core-shell products, the size and ratio (R) of the corresponding particle diameter do not satisfy the above range in many cases, so that the impact absorption function by the rubber is not sufficient.

In another example, the core-shell rubber in the form of primary particles may have an average particle diameter of <NUM> or less. In this case, the lower limit thereof may be, for example, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more. Even in the case of having such a particle diameter, the core-shell rubber in the form of primary particles may have the ratio (R) of the core particle diameter to the total core-shell particle diameter satisfying the above range. In the case of commercialized core-shell products, the size of the corresponding particle diameter does not satisfy the above range in many cases, so that the impact absorption function by the rubber is not sufficient.

Also, in the present application, the core-shell rubber may have a predetermined particle size distribution.

In one example, the core-shell rubber in the form of primary particles may have a diameter of D<NUM> in the particle diameter distribution, that is, a diameter up to cumulative <NUM>% particles on the basis of weight (mass), from the smaller side of the particle diameters by the particle size distribution measurement, in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

In another example, the core-shell rubber in the form of primary particles may have a diameter of D<NUM> in the particle diameter distribution, that is, a diameter up to cumulative <NUM>% particles on the basis of weight (mass), from the smaller side of the particle diameters by the particle size distribution measurement, in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

In one example, the core-shell rubber in the form of primary particles may have a particle size distribution width of <NUM> or less or <NUM> or less obtained by the following equation <NUM>. The lower limit thereof is not particularly limited, which may be, for example, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more.

As described above, when the core-shell rubber having a narrow particle size distribution width is used, it is advantageous to uniformly secure excellent adhesion strength, peel strength, and impact-resistant strength in a wide temperature range.

Such particle diameter characteristics can be obtained through, for example, a method of appropriately adjusting the type or content of monomers used upon core or shell formation, or a method of dividing the monomers into several stages to be introduced or appropriately adjusting the polymerization time of the core or shell or other polymerization conditions, and the like.

In one example, the number of primary particles aggregated for secondary particle formation is not particularly limited. For example, the primary particles may be aggregated to form secondary particles, so that the core-shell rubber conglomerate (aggregate), that is, the secondary particles may have a diameter in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>. In one example, the core-shell rubber (aggregated particles) in the form of secondary particles, which has undergone a kneading process through a kneader such as a planetary mixer after polymerization, may have a size of <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, or <NUM> or less. In relation to the secondary particles, the size may be used in the sense corresponding to the particle diameter or the size of the longest dimension as described above.

In one example, the average particle diameter of the core-shell rubber in the form of secondary particles may be <NUM> or less, or <NUM> or less. Specifically, the average particle diameter of the core-shell rubber may be <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, or <NUM> or less. Although not particularly limited, the average particle diameter lower limit of the core-shell rubber in the form of secondary particles may be <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more.

The core-shell rubber in the form of secondary particles satisfying the above-described characteristics may be included in an amount of <NUM> parts by weight or more based on the total content of the adhesive composition. Specifically, the lower limit of the content may be <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, or <NUM> parts by weight or more. In addition, the content of the core-shell rubber conglomerate may be <NUM> parts by weight or less. Specifically, the upper limit of the content may be <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less, and more specifically, may be <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less. When it is used less than the content, the impact strength improvement effect is not sufficient, and when it is used in excess of the above range, it is not preferable because shear strength and high-temperature impact strength may be lowered.

In one example, the adhesive composition may further comprise a liquid rubber.

In one example, the liquid rubber may be a configuration having an epoxy group at the end of the liquid rubber, which is a homopolymer of a diene-based monomer or a copolymer of a diene-based monomer and a heterogeneous monomer. That is, the liquid rubber may be an epoxy terminated liquid rubber.

For example, the liquid rubber may comprise a homopolymer or copolymer having repeating units derived from butadiene or isobutadiene. In the liquid rubber, for example, a copolymer of butadiene or isobutadiene and an acrylate and/or an acrylonitrile may be included.

In one example, the content of the liquid rubber may be the same as that of the above-described core-shell rubber.

In one example, the adhesive composition may comprise at least <NUM> parts by weight or <NUM> parts by weight or more of a rubber (core-shell rubber and/or liquid rubber) based on the total content of the adhesive composition. For example, when the adhesive composition comprises only the core-shell rubber, the adhesive composition may comprise at least <NUM> parts by weight or <NUM> parts by weight or more of the core-shell rubber based on the total content of the adhesive composition. Alternatively, when the adhesive composition comprises both the core-shell rubber and the liquid rubber, the adhesive composition may comprise at least <NUM> parts by weight or <NUM> parts by weight or more of the core-shell rubber and the liquid rubber based on the total content of the adhesive composition. Even in such a case, the rubber components may be used in an amount of <NUM> parts by weight or less, in consideration of shear strength and high-temperature impact strength. In one example, the adhesive composition may comprise a rubber (core-shell rubber and/or liquid rubber) in an amount of <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, or <NUM> parts by weight or more, and <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less, based on the total content of the adhesive composition.

The adhesive composition may comprise a predetermined curing agent so that it can be cured at a temperature of about <NUM> or more, or about <NUM> or more. If the curing can occur in the above temperature range, the type of the curing agent is not particularly limited. For example, as the curing agent, a dicyandiamide, a melamine, a diallyl melamine, a guanamine (e.g. acetoguanamine, benzoguanamine), an aminotriazole (<NUM>-amino-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazole), a hydrazide (adipic acid dihydride, stearic acid dihydrazide, isophthalic acid dihydrazide), a cyanoacetamide or an aromatic polyamine (e.g.: diaminodiphenylsulfone), and the like can be used.

Although not particularly limited, the curing agent may be used in an amount of, for example, <NUM> part by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, or <NUM> parts by weight or more, based on the total content of the adhesive composition. Although not particularly limited, the content upper limit of the curing agent may be <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less.

In one example, the adhesive composition may further comprise a urethane resin. The urethane resin may be a urethane resin in which isocyanate ends are blocked.

(e-<NUM>) In one example, the urethane resin may be a urethane resin having a polyether structure. In addition, at least one of the isocyanate groups which are terminals of the urethane resin has a structure (capping structure) terminated with a predetermined compound.

The urethane resin may contain an isocyanate unit and a polyether polyol unit. In the present application, the fact that the urethane resin contains a predetermined unit may mean a state where in a resin structure (main chain or side chain) formed by reacting one or more compounds, the unit derived as the compounds are polymerized is included therein.

The specific kind of isocyanate used in the urethane resin is not particularly limited, and a known aromatic or non-aromatic isocyanate may be used. In a non-limiting example, the isocyanate can be nonaromatic. That is, upon forming the modified urethane resin, an isocyanate of aliphatic or alicyclic series may be used. In the case of using the non-aromatic isocyanate, impact resistance, or viscosity characteristics of the adhesive composition may be improved.

The kind of the usable non-aromatic isocyanate is not particularly limited. For example, an aliphatic polyisocyanate or its modified products can be used. Specifically, an aliphatic polyisocyanate such as hexamethylene diisocyanate, trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate, lysine diisocyanate, norbornane diisocyanate methyl, ethylene diisocyanate, propylene diisocyanate or tetramethylene diisocyanate; an alicyclic polyisocyanate such as transcyclohexane-<NUM>,<NUM>-diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, bis(isocyanatemethyl) cyclohexane diisocyanate or dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate; or a carbodiimide-modified polyisocyanate or isocyanurate-modified polyisocyanate of at least one of the foregoing; and the like can be used. In addition, a mixture of two or more of the above-listed compounds can be used.

In one example, the polyol may be a polyol having an OH equivalent of <NUM> or more. For example, the OH equivalent lower limit of the polyol may be <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more. The OH equivalent upper limit of the polyol is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, or <NUM>,<NUM> or less. When the equivalent range is satisfied, it is advantageous to improve impact-resistant characteristics, adhesion strength characteristics and peeling characteristics of the adhesive.

The kind of the polyol is not particularly limited as long as the equivalent is satisfied. For example, a tetrafunctional polyol such as pentaerythritol; a trifunctional polyol such as glycerin or trimethylolpropane; or a bifunctional polyol such as glycol may be used. In one example, a polyalkylene glycol may be used as the polyol, without being particularly limited thereto. Specifically, for example, polypropylene glycol may be used as the polyalkylene glycol.

In one example, the urethane resin may comprise a branched polyether polyol unit, and a non-aromatic isocyanate unit.

In one example, the polyol may be branched polypropylene glycol. The branched polypropylene means that the polypropylene backbone is configured to have side chains, which may be distinguished from the linear shape, that is, the case where the polypropylene repeating unit does not have side chains. For example, the branched polypropylene has branches in which α-olefins, such as ethylene, <NUM>-butene, <NUM>-hexene or <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-pentene, are incorporated (copolymerized) into the polypropylene backbone. That is, in one example of the present application, the polyol may have a branched polypropylene unit. When the branched polypropylene glycol is used, it is advantageous for strength improvement.

As mentioned above, the urethane resin may have a structure in which one or more of its isocyanate ends are terminated by a predetermined compound. The so-called capping method of the isocyanate end in the urethane resin is not particularly limited. Known techniques can be used. For example, a polymer or prepolymer, which is derived from an ether-based polyol, having urethane groups in urethane chains and having isocyanate groups at their ends is prepared, where the isocyanate ends of the urethane can be capped through a compound having an active hydrogen group at all or part of the isocyanate groups. In another example, upon preparing the urethane resin, a method of capping simultaneously with polymerization by introducing a compound capable of capping the isocyanate ends together may be used. The kind of the compound which is capable of capping isocyanate ends is not specifically limited, and for example, an amine-based compound, a phenol-based compound, an oxime-based compound, or a bisphenol-based compound can be used.

In one example, the urethane resin may have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>. The weight average molecular weight may be a polystyrene conversion molecular weight measured by GPC. More specifically, the lower limit of the weight average molecular weight of the urethane resin may be <NUM>,<NUM> or more, <NUM>,<NUM> or more, <NUM>,<NUM> or more, <NUM>,<NUM> or more, <NUM>,<NUM> or more, <NUM>,<NUM> or more, <NUM>,<NUM> or more, <NUM>,<NUM> or more, <NUM>,<NUM> or more, <NUM>,<NUM> or more, <NUM>,<NUM> or more <NUM>,<NUM> or more, or <NUM>,<NUM> or more. Although not particularly limited, the upper limit of the weight average molecular weight of the urethane resin may be <NUM>,<NUM> or less, or <NUM>,<NUM> or less. When the above range is satisfied, it is possible to provide advantageous physical properties to the adhesive. The urethane resin may have a molecular weight controlled using a branching agent, a chain extender or the like upon its manufacture, and may also have a linear structure or a branched structure. In the case of the branched structure, it is appropriate to polymerize the urethane without using a chain extender, which is advantageous for obtaining an appropriate molecular weight. When polypropylene glycol is used as the polyol, the degree of contribution to improving the impact strength of the urethane resin having a branched structure may be higher.

In one example, the adhesive composition may comprise <NUM> parts by weight or more of the modified urethane resin based on the content of the entire adhesive composition. Specifically, the content of the modified urethane resin may be <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, or <NUM> parts by weight or more. Although not particularly limited, the content upper limit of the urethane resin may be, for example, <NUM> parts by weight or less. More specifically, the urethane resin may be used in an amount of <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less. When the urethane resin is used in an amount of less than the above range, the impact strength improvement is not sufficient, and when it is used in an amount of more than the above range, there is a problem that shear strength is lowered and high-temperature impact strength is lowered.

(e-<NUM>) In another example, the urethane resin is a modified urethane resin having a unit derived from polytetrahydrofuran, where at least one of the isocyanate groups which are terminals of the urethane resin may have a structure (capping structure) terminated with a predetermined compound, as described below.

The urethane resin may comprise an isocyanate unit, a polyol unit, a polytetrahydrofuran unit. In the present application, the fact that the urethane resin comprises predetermined units may mean a state where in a resin structure (main chain or side chain) formed by reaction of one or more compounds, the compounds are polymerized and simultaneously the units derived therefrom are included in the resin structure.

The kind of the polyol used at the time of forming the urethane resin is not particularly limited. For example, a tetrafunctional polyol such as pentaerythritol; a trifunctional polyol such as glycerin or trimethylolpropane; or a bifunctional polyol such as glycol may be used. In one example, a polyalkylene glycols such as polypropylene glycol may be used as the glycol.

In one example, a linear polyol may be used as the polyol. For example, a linear shape such as polypropylene glycol can be used. The linear polyol is a polyol having two hydroxyl groups in the molecule, which may usually mean one having hydroxyl groups at both ends of the molecule. Conversely, the polyol having three or more hydroxyl groups in the molecule can be said to be a branched polyol. Compared with the case of using a branched shape, the case of using a linear polyol makes it easy to control the molecular weight of the urethane resin in the range described below, which may be advantageous for improving the impact-resistant characteristics of the adhesive.

As described above, the urethane resin may have a structure in which one or more of its isocyanate ends are terminated by a predetermined compound. The so-called capping method of the isocyanate end in the urethane resin is not particularly limited. Known techniques can be used. For example, upon preparing the modified urethane resin, a method of introducing a compound capable of capping the isocyanate ends together thereto and polymerizing it may be used. The kind of the compound which is capable of capping isocyanate ends is not specifically limited, and for example, an amine-based compound, a phenol-based compound, an oxime-based compound, or a bisphenol-based compound can be used.

In one example, the urethane resin may comprise a unit in which the isocyanate end is terminated by polytetrahydrofuran. Since polytetra hydrofuran also has OH groups, the urethane resin may further comprise a unit in which the isocyanate end terminated by polytetrahydrofuran, when the urethane resin of the present application is synthesized by so-called one-pot synthesis.

In one example, the polytetrahydrofuran may have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of <NUM> or more. In the present application, the "weight average molecular weight (Mw)" may be a polystyrene conversion molecular weight measured by GPC. For example, the weight average molecular weight of the polytetrahydrofuran may be <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more. In one example, the weight average molecular weight upper limit of the polytetrahydrofuran may be <NUM>,<NUM> or less. Specifically, the weight average molecular weight of the polytetrahydrofuran may be <NUM>,<NUM> or less, or <NUM>,<NUM> or less, and may be, more specifically, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, <NUM>,<NUM> or less, or <NUM>,<NUM> or less.

In one example, the polytetrahydrofuran may have an OH equivalent of <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>. When the OH equivalent is out of the above range, the impact-resistant characteristics of the adhesive may be lowered. Considering the impact-resistant characteristics, the polytetra hydrofuran may have, for example, an OH equivalent of <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more, and may have an OH equivalent of <NUM>,<NUM> or less, or <NUM>,<NUM> or less.

In one example, the weight average molecular weight of the urethane resin having the above configuration may be in the range of <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>. When the above range is satisfied, the physical properties suitable for the adhesive application of the present application can be provided.

The adhesive composition may comprise a catalyst to control the rate and temperature of the curing reaction by the curing agent. The type of the catalyst is not particularly limited, and various kinds of known catalysts may be appropriately used.

In one non-limiting example, as the catalyst, urea series such as p-chlorophenyl-N,N-dimethylurea, <NUM>-phenyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylurea or <NUM>,<NUM>-dichlorophenyl-N,N-dimethylurea; tertiary acrylics; amines such as benzyldimethylamine; piperidine or derivatives thereof; or imidazole derivatives may be used.

Although not particularly limited, the catalyst may be used, for example, in an amount of <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, or <NUM> parts by weight or more, based on the total content of the adhesive composition. Although not particularly limited, the upper limit of the catalyst content may be <NUM> parts by weight or less.

In one example, the adhesive composition may further comprise a particulate inorganic filler, that is, inorganic particles. When the inorganic filler is used, it is possible to adjust the mechanical properties, rheological properties and the like of the adhesive. The form of the inorganic filler may be rectangular, spherical, platy or acicular, which is not particularly limited.

As the inorganic filler, for example, calcium oxide, quartz powder, alumina, calcium carbonate, calcium oxide, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium calcium carbonate, barite, hydrophilic or hydrophobic silica particles, or aluminum magnesium calcium silicate can be used. When silica particles are used, it is more preferable that they have hydrophobicity.

Although not particularly limited, the inorganic filler may be used in an amount of, for example, <NUM> part by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, or <NUM> parts by weight or more, based on the total content of the adhesive composition. Although not particularly limited, the upper limit of the inorganic filler content may be <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less.

In one example, the composition may further comprise various kinds of additives. For example, known plasticizers, reactive or non-reactive diluents, coupling agents, fluidity modifiers, thixotropic agents, colorants, and the like may further be included in the adhesive composition. The specific kind of the additive is not particularly limited, and known materials or commercial products may be used without limitation.

Although not particularly limited, the additive may be used in an amount of, for example, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> part by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, or <NUM> parts by weight or more, based on the total content of the adhesive composition. Although not particularly limited, the upper limit of the additive content may be <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less.

In another example of the present application, the present application relates to a structure comprising a cured product of the adhesive composition. The structure may comprise a base material and a cured product of the adhesive composition cured after being applied on the base material. The base material may comprise a metal component, a plastic component, wood, a glass fiber-containing base material, and the like.

In one example, the structure may have a form in which two or more base materials are bonded via the cured product. For example, the structure may have a form in which a metal and a metal are bonded via the cured product, a form in which a metal and a plastic are bonded via the cured product, or a form in which a plastic and a plastic are bonded via the cured product. The structure can be used as a structural material for aerospace, wind power generation, ships or automobiles.

In another example of the present application, the present application relates to a method for producing a structure. The method may comprise steps of applying a composition having a configuration as described above on a surface of a base material and curing the composition applied to the surface of the base material. The application may be performed such that physical contact between the base material and the adhesive composition occurs.

The method of applying the adhesive composition to the surface of the structure is not particularly limited. For example, jet spraying methods such as swirl or streaming, or mechanical application by an extrusion method can be used. The application may be made to one or more base materials to be bonded.

The curing temperature is not particularly limited. For example, the curing may be performed at <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more. Although not particularly limited, considering heat-resistant stability, it is preferable to perform the curing at a temperature of <NUM> or less.

According to one example of the present application, an adhesive composition providing excellent adhesion strength, peel strength and impact-resistant strength uniformly over a wide temperature range can be provided.

Hereinafter, the present application will be described through examples and comparative examples. However, the scope of the present application is not limited by the scope set forth below.

First step (production of core): <NUM> parts by weight of ion-exchanged water, <NUM> parts by weight of <NUM>,<NUM>-butadiene as a monomer, <NUM> part by weight of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate as an emulsifier, <NUM> parts by weight of calcium carbonate, <NUM> parts by weight of tertiary dodecyl mercaptan and <NUM> parts by weight of persulfate potassium as an initiator were introduced into a nitrogen-substituted polymerization reactor, and reacted at <NUM> until a polymerization conversion ratio was <NUM> to <NUM>%. Thereafter, <NUM> parts by weight of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate was introduced thereto, <NUM> parts by weight of <NUM>-butadiene was further introduced thereto, and the temperature was raised to <NUM> to terminate the reaction at the time when the polymerization conversion ratio was <NUM>%. The produced polymer had a latex gel content of <NUM>%. At this time, the rubber latex was coagulated with a dilute acid or a metal salt, and then washed, dried in a vacuum oven at <NUM> for <NUM> hours, and <NUM> of the resulting rubber was placed in <NUM> of toluene and stored in a dark room at room temperature for <NUM> hours, and then the latex gel content was measured by separating the sol and the gel.

Second step: <NUM> parts by weight of the produced rubber latex was put into a closed reactor, and the temperature of the reactor filled with nitrogen was raised to <NUM>. Thereafter, <NUM> parts by weight of sodium pyrophosphate, <NUM> parts by weight of dextrose and <NUM> parts by weight of ferrous sulfide were introduced into the reactor in a lump.

In a separate mixing device, <NUM> parts by weight of methyl methacrylate, <NUM> parts by weight of styrene, <NUM> parts by weight of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate as an emulsifier, <NUM> parts by weight of cumene hydroperoxide and <NUM> parts by weight of ion-exchanged water were mixed to prepare a monomer emulsion.

To the reactor to which the rubber latex had been introduced, the emulsion was continuously added over <NUM> hours, and then, after <NUM> minutes, <NUM> parts by weight of hydroperoxide was added and aged at the same temperature for <NUM> hour to terminate the reaction at the time when the polymerization conversion ratio was <NUM>%.

At an appropriate time in the process, the average particle diameter of the core measured by Nicomp N300 dynamic light scattering equipment was <NUM>, and the average particle diameter of the core-shell rubber resin latex was <NUM>.

In addition, the particle size distribution of the produced core-shell rubber in the form of primary particles was measured, and the results were described in <FIG>.

Thereafter, an antioxidant was added to the reactant, aggregated with magnesium sulfate, and then dehydrated and dried to produce a core-shell rubber in an aggregated form.

<NUM> of amine-terminated polypropylene glycol having an amine equivalent of <NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM> of a bisphenol A epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of <NUM> were mixed in a nitrogen-substituted polymerization reactor, and the reaction was performed at <NUM> for <NUM> hours to produce an ether-containing modified epoxy resin.

<NUM> of amine-terminated polypropylene glycol having an amine equivalent of <NUM> and <NUM> of a bisphenol A epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of <NUM> were mixed in a nitrogen-substituted polymerization reactor, and the reaction was performed at <NUM> for <NUM> hours to produce an ether-containing modified epoxy resin.

The compositions of Examples and Comparative Examples containing the components shown in Table <NUM> below in predetermined contents (weight ratio: parts by weight) were prepared as adhesive materials. Specifically, the core-shell rubber conglomerates and the epoxy resins were placed in a planetary mixer and mixed at <NUM> for <NUM> hours. The appearance that the core-shell rubbers are dispersed in the epoxy resin is as shown in <FIG>. Thereafter, the remaining components excluding 'the urethane resin, the curing agent and the catalyst' were placed in the planetary mixer and stirred at <NUM> for <NUM> hours. Finally, the temperature was lowered to <NUM>, 'the urethane resin, the curing agent and the catalyst' were put in the planetary mixer and mixed for <NUM> hour, and then the temperature was lowered to room temperature (about <NUM>) to terminate the kneading.

Five specimens were manufactured for each of Examples and Comparative Examples, and an object weighing <NUM> was dropped freely at a rate of <NUM>/s at a height of <NUM> in accordance with DIN ISO <NUM>, and the impact peel strength (unit: N/mm) was measured at each of <NUM>, <NUM> and -<NUM> and the average value was taken.

In the case of the specimen, two cold rolled steel having a size of <NUM> x <NUM> x <NUM> (length x width x thickness) and a strength of <NUM> MPa were prepared, and the adhesive was applied to a predetermined area of the cold rolled steel so that the adhesive area of the cold rolled steel was <NUM> x <NUM>, and cured at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes. Using glass beads, the thickness of the adhesive layer was kept uniform at <NUM>. The measurement results were described in Table <NUM>.

For the specimens prepared in connection with Examples and Comparative Examples, five shear strength measurements were performed in accordance with DIN EN <NUM> and the average value was taken. At this time, the shear strength (unit: Mpa) measurement was made under conditions of <NUM>/min and <NUM>.

In the case of the specimen, two cold rolled steel sheets having a size of <NUM> x <NUM> x <NUM> (length x width x thickness) and a strength of <NUM> MPa were prepared, and the adhesive was applied to a predetermined area of the cold rolled steel so that the adhesive area of the cold rolled steel was <NUM> x <NUM>, and cured at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes. Using glass beads, the thickness of the adhesive layer was kept uniform at <NUM>. The measurement results were described in Table <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An adhesive composition comprising:
(a) one or more epoxy resins;
(b) a modified epoxy resin having a polyether structure;
(c) a core-shell rubber in the form of secondary particles in which two or more core-shell rubbers in the form of primary particles are aggregated; and
(d) one or more epoxy curing agents,
wherein the modified epoxy resin having a polyether structure is a reactant of an amine-terminated polyether and an epoxy resin;
wherein the weight ratio of the primary particles is <NUM> wt% or less, relative to the total content of the core-shell rubbers, and
wherein the modified epoxy resin having a polyether structure comprises a reactant of an amine-terminated polyalkylene glycol having an amine equivalent in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> and an epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>.