abstract |
The present invention relates to the use of a compound as a toughener in a storage-stable, heat-curable structural epoxy adhesive, said compound comprising an elastomeric prepolymer residue selected from the group of a polyurethane, a polyurea and a polyurea polyurethane having isocyanate end groups, the isocyanate end groups of said prepolymer residue being capped by a capping compound selected from the group consisting of a primary aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heteroaromatic and araliphatic amine, a secondary aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, heteroaromatic and araliphatic amine, a thiol and an alkyl amide, said capping compound being bound to the end of the polymer chain of the elastomeric prepolymer in a manner such that the end to which it is bonded no longer has a reactive group. |