EPOXY COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF DETECTING CURE

摘要

The present invention incorporates triaryl compound dyes, particularly triarylmethane dyes, into epoxy compositions that are cured using a hardener. The dye allows a user to monitor the degree of curing of compositions. The dye also provides means to identify if hardener has been added to the epoxy composition, and whether the hardener has been mixed properly into the composition. The dye provides an indicator which reacts with the components of the epoxy when mixed at room temperature and produces a colour change. On heat curing further a secondary colour change is produced, preferably above about 50oC. A further final colour change at post cure created at about 75oC enables a visible determination of the status cure of the resulting epoxy composite.