APPLICABILITY OF 7-HYDROXY-4-METHYLCOUMARIN FOR CURE MONITORING AND MARKING OF EPOXY RESINS

Applicability of Fluorescence Probe Technology (FPT) for monitoring the cross-linking process of epoxy resins with polyamines, and, the possibility of marking epoxy products with fluorescent markers have been evaluated. 7-Hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin has been applied as a fluorescent probe. The probe was incorporated into the epoxy formulation in two ways: by dissolution of the probe in one of the formulation components, or, by chemical bonding of the probe to the epoxy monomer. It has been found that free 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin can be used as a fluorescent probe for monitoring progress of setting process of epoxy compositions by FPT technique. It can provide valuable information about the course of the process, and the time required for complete setting. On the other hand, 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin covalently bonded to the epoxy monomer is best suitable for application as a fluorescent marker for epoxy products.