| abstract |
The present invention provides a water-curable resin composition for use in the preparation of composite materials. The resin composition is composed of a water-reactive liquid organometallic compound having a viscosity of no greater than about 500,000 centipoise under ambient conditions; and a nonreactive organic thermoplastic polymer, having a number average molecular weight of at least about 1,000, mixed with the water-reactive liquid organometallic compound. Preferably, the water-reactive liquid organometallic compound is a compound of the formula (R1O)xMR2(y-x) wherein: each R1 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C100 hydrocarbon group, optionally interrupted in the backbone by 1-10 nonperoxide-O-, -S-, -C(O)-, or -N- groups; each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C100 hydrocarbon group, optionally interrupted in the backbone by 1-10 nonperoxide-O-, -S-, -C(O)-, or -N- groups; x is an integer between 1 and y, inclusive; y is the valence of M; and M is boron, aluminum, silicon, or titanium. |