Abstract: The invention relates to a curing agent for thermosetting epoxy resins comprising (a) at least one aromatic amine containing at least two amino groups, and (b) at least one clathrate compound obtained by reacting a tetrakisphenol of the formula (1), or a 9,9-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene of formula (2), as the host molecule, and an imidazole or an imidazolium derivative as the guest molecule, wherein the substituents are as defined in the description, and n is the number 0, 1, 2 or 3, which can advantageously be used for the curing of epoxy resins. In addition, the invention also relates to a process for the preparation of a cured article, a process for the preparation of insulation systems for electrical engineering and a cured article obtained by the processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a curing agent for thermosetting epoxy resins comprising (a) at least one aromatic amine containing at least two amino groups, and (b) at least one clathrate compound obtained by reacting a tetrakisphenol of the formula (1), or a 9,9-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene of formula (2), as the host molecule, and an imidazole or an imidazolium derivative as the guest molecule, wherein the substituents are as defined in the description, and n is the number 0, 1, 2 or 3, which can advantageously be used for the curing of epoxy resins. In addition, the invention also relates to a process for the preparation of a cured article, a process for the preparation of insulation systems for electrical engineering and a cured article obtained by the processes.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of insulation systems for electrical engineering by automatic pressure gelation (APG), wherein a multiple component thermosetting resin composition is used, said resin composition comprising (A) at least one epoxy resin, and (B) at least one curing agent comprising (b1) at least one cycloaliphatic amine, and (b2) at least one polyetheramine, provides encased articles exhibiting good mechanical, electrical and dielectrical properties, which can be used as, for example, insulators, bushings, switchgears and instrument transformers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metallization method for solar cell substrates by electroplating wherein i) a resist is deposited onto at least one surface of a solar cell substrate and patterned, ii) a conductive seed layer is deposited onto the patterned resist and into the openings formed by the resist pattern, iii) a first metal or metal alloy is electroplated onto the conductive seed layer, and iv) those portions of the first metal or metal alloy layer deposited onto the patterned resist are removed.

Abstract: Described is a method of forming a metal or metal alloy layer onto a substrate comprising the following steps i) provide a substrate including a permanent resin layer on top of at least one contact area and a temporary resin layer on top of the permanent resin layer, ii) contact the entire substrate area including the at least one contact area with a solution suitable to provide a conductive layer on the substrate surface and i) electroplate a metal or metal alloy layer onto the conductive layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized acrylate polymers, a process for their preparation, photopolymerizable compositions comprising these polymers and the use of the compositions, especially in the production of electronic components. The functionalized acrylate polymers are reaction products comprising at least a) acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or a mixture of acrylic and methacrylic acid and b) a (meth)acrylic ester of substituted or unsubstituted phenol, C1-C8 hydroxyalkylbenzene or C1-C8 hydroxyalkoxybenzene and methyl(meth)acrylate in a molar ratio of from 5:95 to 100:0. 5-90% of the acrylic or methacrylic acid units having reacted with a glycidylvinyl compound.

Abstract: Linear crosslinkable polyurethanes obtained from (a) at least one diisocyanate having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, (b) at least one aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diol having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, to whose carbon chain at least one carboxyl group is covalently bonded, and some or all of said carboxyl groups have been esterified with an olefinically unsaturated C3-C8alcohol or with the glycidyl ester of an olefinically unsaturated C3-C8carboxylic acid, and (c) optionally at least one aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diol having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, to whose carbon chain at least one carboxyl group is covalently bonded. The polyurethanes are suitable, alone or as a mixture with other reactive components, for thermal and/or photochemical crosslinking in crosslinkable compositions for the production of mouldings, coatings and in particular solder masks.

Abstract: Linear crosslinkable polyurethanes obtained from (a) at least one diisocyanate having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, (b) at least one aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diol having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, to whose carbon chain at least one carboxyl group is covalently bonded, and some or all of said carboxyl groups have been esterified with an olefinically unsaturated C3-C8alcohol or with the glycidyl ester of an olefinically unsaturated C3-C8carboxylic acid, and (c) optionally at least one aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diol having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, to whose carbon chain at least one carboxyl group is covalently bonded. The polyurethanes are suitable, alone or as a mixture with other reactive components, for thermal and/or photochemical crosslinking in crosslinkable compositions for the production of mouldings, coatings and in particular solder masks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized acrylate polymers, a process for their preparation, photopolymerizable compositions comprising these polymers and the use of the compositions, especially in the production of electronic components. The functionalized acrylate polymers are reaction products comprising at least a) acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or a mixture of acrylic and methacrylic acid and b) a (meth)acrylic ester of substituted or unsubstituted phenol. C1-C8-hydroxyalkylbenzene or C1-C8-hydroxyalkoxybenzene and methyl(meth)acrylate in a molar ratio of from 5.95 to 100.0. 5-90% of the acrylic or methacrylic acid units having reacted with a glycidylvinyl compound.

Abstract: A composition, which comprises (a) a compound containing at least one epoxy group in inner position per molecule, obtained by epoxidation of a natural unsaturated oil or of its derivative; (b) an epoxy compound selected from the group consisting of glycidyl ethers, glycidyl esters and cycloaliphatic epoxides; (c) a polycarboxylic acid anhydride; (d) a compound of formula I, I, III or IV or an acid adduct of a compound of formula I, II, III or IV  wherein R1 to R4 are each independently of one another hydrogen; C1-C18alkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more than one hydroxyl group amino group, halogen atom, cyano group, C1-C6alkoxy group or C1-C6cyanalkoxy group; C5-C14aryl, C6-C24aralkyl, C3-C14heteroaryl or C4-C14heteroaralkyl which are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more than one C1-C6alkyl group, C1-C6alkoxy group or halogen atom,  n is an integer from 1 to 3, and  R5 and R6 are each independently of the other C1-C6alkyl or, together with the