Abstract: A curable composition comprising a) an epoxy resin containing on average more than one epoxy group per molecule, and b) as curing agent a hybrid hardener, whereby said hardener is a blend of b1) an aminic compound selected from aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic amines, imidazoline group-containing amidoamines based on mono- or polybasic acids, adducts of said amines or amidoamines made from glycidyl compounds, adducts of said amines or amidoamines with cyclic carbonates, whereby said aminic compound contains, on average per molecule, at least two reactive hydrogen atoms bound to nitrogen atoms, and b2) a polyphenol novolac, and wherein the polyphenol novolac is used in an amount of from 30% to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of hardener blend comprising b1) and b2), useful for rapid setting and protective coatings and adhesives in application fields like civil engineering, marine, architectural and maintenance.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising a) an epoxy resin containing on average more than one epoxy group per molecule, and b) as curing agent a hybrid hardener, whereby said hardener is a blend of b1) an aminic compound selected from aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic amines, imidazoline group-containing amidoamines based on mono- or polybasic acids, adducts of said amines or amidoamines made from glycidyl compounds, adducts of said amines or amidoamines with cyclic carbonates, whereby said aminic compound contains, on average per molecule, at least two reactive hydrogen atoms bound to nitrogen atoms, and b2) a polyphenol novolac, and wherein the polyphenol novolac is used in an amount of from 30% to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of hardener blend comprising b1) and b2), useful for rapid setting and protective coatings and adhesives in application fields like civil engineering, marine, architectural and maintenance.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a catalytic composition comprising titanium and phosphorus and resulting from the contacting of at least one titanate with at least one quaternary "onium" salt of an acid selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid and the phosphonic acids of formula R.sup.7 H.sub.2 PO.sub.3 in which R.sup.7 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 38 atoms of carbon and the "onium" remainder is a remainder of formula (R.sup.8 R.sup.9 R.sup.10 R.sup.11 M).sup.+ in which M is an element from the group VA of the periodic table of elements, preferably nitrogen or phosphorous, and R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11, identical or different, represent each an atom of hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 38 atoms of carbon.This catalytic composition is utilizable for producing asters and polyesters from epoxides and carboxylic acid anhydrides.