| abstract |
Polyglycidyl ethers of the formula <IMAGE> (I) wherein: G represents hydrogen, <IMAGE> R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic hydrocarbon group, or a 5- or 6-membered oxygen or sulfur atom containing heterocyclic group which groups, other than hydrogen, may be substituted by halogen or the group -OG, R2 is hydrogen or <IMAGE> n is a positive number up to 10, and at least two G groups in the molecule are other than hydrogen. The polyglycidyl ether is produced by condensing alpha-naphthol with an aldehyde, such as acetaldehyde, in the presence of an acid catalyst such as nitric acid, and optionally in the presence of an inert medium such as toluene, to form a novolak-type phenol which is thereafter condensed with an epihalohydrin. The polyglycidyl ethers may be cured with conventional curing agents. Composite materials containing a matrix formed from the cured polyglycidyl ether and a filler dispersed in the matrix have excellent heat resistance and low water absorption. |