NITROGEN-CONTAINING HETEROCYCLIC EPOXY CURING AGENTS, COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS

Amine-epoxy curing agents are disclosed including at least one saturated heterocyclic compound having two nitrogen heteroatoms according to formula (I) and at least one saturated fused bicyclic heterocyclic compound having three nitrogen heteroatoms according to formula (II) : wherein X is independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched C 1 to C 4 alkyl group and a substituted or un-substituted phenyl group, Y 1 is a direct bond or a divalent polyethylene polyamine group having 1 to 8 nitrogen atoms or a divalent polyethylene polyamine derivative having 1 to 8 nitrogen atoms, Y 2 is a direct bond or a divalent polyethylene polyamine group having 1 to 7 nitrogen atoms and R is independently a hydrogen atom or a group selected from C 1 - C 8 linear, cyclic, and branched alkyl, alkenyl, and alkaryl groups. An amine-epoxy compositions are disclosed including the amine-epoxy curing agent and at least one multifunctional epoxy resin. Methods for forming an epoxy are disclosed including reacting the amine-epoxy curing agent and the at least one multifunctional epoxy resin.