Abstract: An elastomer-modified phenolic composition is provided which is an reaction product of a phenolic compound and about 5 to about 35 weight percent, based on the total weight of the elastomer-modified phenolic compound, of a functionalized elastomer. Further, there is provided a composition comprising an epoxy resin and a curing agent for the epoxy resin comprising the elastomer-modified phenolic composition. The use of the elastomer-modified phenolic curing agent permits the preparation of low-viscosity powder coating formulations for impact-resistant coatings.

Abstract: The reinforcing wires in a fibrous duct are inserted by simultaneously piercing opposite sides of the duct with elongated piercing means mounted on a reciprocally movable frame. The piercing means may be the reinforcing wires themselves or may be separate structure, such as tubes, which can function as guides for the insertion of the wire before they are withdrawn.

Abstract: A method for dispersing and stabilizing a carboxy-functionalized butadiene-styrene block copolymer in an epoxy resin is provided comprising the steps of: (a) dispersing from about 5 to about 30 weight percent of a carboxy-functionalized hydrogenated butadiene-styrene block copolymer in a liquid epoxy resin to produce an elastomer-dispersed epoxy resin composition; (b) contacting the elastomer-dispersed epoxy resin composition and from about 15 to about 30 weight percent, based on the weight of the elastomer-modified epoxy resin composition, of a polyhydric phenolic compound in the presence of an advancement catalyst at a temperature within the range of about 40.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. for time effective for producing a solid elastomer-modified epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent weight in the range of about 500 to about 1,500; and (c) recovering said solid elastomer-modified epoxy resin.

Abstract: A phenolic curing agent for epoxy resin powder coatings is prepared by combining (a) a linear phenolic hydroxyl-terminated resin having a weight per phenolic within the range of about 650 to about 8,000, preferably about 850 to about 950, (b) a dihydric phenol present in an amount such that the weight per hydroxyl of the mixture of (a) and (b) is within the range of about 240 to about 280, and (c) at least about 2 weight percent, based on the weight of the composition, of an imidazole cure accelerator. The described imidazole-accelerated curing agent is less susceptible to melting point depression and to sintering with storage than conventional imidazole-containing phenolic curing agents. The dihydric phenol-terminated epoxy resin is preferably prepared by reacting a dihydric phenol with a linear diepoxy resin in the presence of a phosphonium halide catalyst so as to produce a phenolic hydroxyl-terminated resin having a weight per hydroxyl within the range of about 650 to about 8,000.

Abstract: A solid epoxy resin having a broad molecular weight distribution is prepared by melt or solution blending a major portion of a normally-solid epoxy resin having a weight per epoxide of about 1500 to about 10,000 and a minor portion of a normally-liquid epoxy resin having a weight per epoxide of from about 180 to about 340, and solidifying the resulting blend. A solvent-free powder coating composition is prepared by combining the blend with an effective amount of a curing agent and reducing the epoxy resin/curing agent to an average particle size less than about 60 mesh. The epoxy blend permits preparation of a powder coating formulation having improved grinding properties.