To obtain a lowly odorous diluent being excellent in solvency for epoxy resins and electrical properties, causing less swelling of e.g. members with which it contacts and having a high driability by using a naphthene-ring- containing aromatic hydrocarbon prepared by the nucleus hydrogenation of one benzene ring of a bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.
This diluent is prepared by the nucleus hydrogenation of one benzene ring of a bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon represented by the formula (wherein R1 is a divalent hydrocarbon residue derived by removing two hydrogen atoms from a 1-4 C linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon; R2 to R7 are each H or a 1-4 C linear or branched alkyl; and R2 to R7 contain at most 8 carbon atoms in total. Although the method for using this diluent may depends upon the performances required for the aimed epoxy resin composition, for example workability-related properties such as a pot life and viscosity and the performances required for a cured product, it is usual that 1-50 pts.wt., desirably 5-20 pts.wt. diluent is used per 100 pts.wt. epoxy resin.
HOSHINO HIROYUKI
HAYASHI TERUZO
