FIELD

The present disclosure relates to resin bound and resin bond surfacing. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a hardenable multi-part resin composition for resin bound/bond aggregate surfacing. There is described a multi-part resin composition for use in resin bound or resin bond surfacing. The multi-part resin composition comprises a Part A composition and a Part B composition. The Part A composition comprises a polymerisable component and the Part B composition comprises a hardener material operable to harden the polymerisable component of Part A. The hardener material comprises an aliphatic group and an aromatic group, wherein the aliphatic and aromatic groups are present in the same hardener material and/or different hardener materials.

BACKGROUND

Aggregate material, such as stone and gravel, may be used in combination with a hardenable multi-part resin to form a hard-wearing resin bound/bond surface. Such surfaces can include pathways or driveways in domestic or commercial settings.

Resin bound surfacing is typically formed by coating an aggregate in a resin prior to laying and then curing the mixture in position. The cured mixture forms a unitary surface in which the resin retains the aggregate within the surface and also offers some protection for the aggregate from external forces.

Resin bond surfacing is typically formed by applying a layer of the resin to a surface to be covered before arranging aggregate on top of the resin layer and then curing.

Resin bound/bond surfacing can be preferable over forms of loose surfacing such as grass or loose gravel, where the surfacing can be structurally unsound and vulnerable to rapid degradation or instability. Resin bound/bond surfacing can also in many cases be more visually appealing than other hard-wearing surfaces, such as tarmac or block paving.

Resin bound surfacing in particular can also provide environmental benefits compared to other types of hard-wearing surfacing. Resin bound surfacing may have a higher level of water permeability, and as such is able to comply with Sustainable Urban Drainage Compliance requirements.

Resin bound/bond surfacing should be resistant to UV degradation, and should also possess suitable strength, hardness and flexibility properties. It is also desirable to reduce the cost of resin bound/bond surfacing while maintaining the necessary performance properties. It is an object of aspects of the present invention to address one or more of the above mentioned or other problems.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition for use in a multi-part resin composition for resin bound or resin bond surfacing, the composition comprising a hardener material, wherein the hardener material comprises: a. an aliphatic group, and b. an aromatic group.

Typically, the composition for use in a multi-part resin composition for resin bound/bond surfacing may be a Part B of a multi-part resin composition for resin bound/bond surfacing, wherein the multi-part resin composition comprises a Part A and a Part B.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-part resin composition for use in resin bound or resin bond surfacing, the multi-part resin composition comprising a Part A composition and a Part B composition, wherein the Part A composition comprises a polymerisable component and the Part B composition comprises a hardener material operable to harden the polymerisable component of Part A, wherein the hardener material comprises: a. an aliphatic group, and b. an aromatic group.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts for resin bound or resin bond surfacing, the kit comprising a multi-part resin composition comprising a Part A composition and a Part B composition, wherein the Part A composition comprises a polymerisable component and the Part B composition comprises a hardener material operable to harden the polymerisable component of Part A, wherein the hardener material comprises: a. an aliphatic group, and b. an aromatic group; the kits of parts further comprising an aggregate material operable to be combined with the multipart resin composition to form resin bound/bond surfacing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a resin bound or resin bond surfacing obtainable from a multi-part resin composition and an aggregate material operable to be combined with the multi-part resin composition to form resin bound/bond surfacing, wherein the multi-part resin comprises a Part A composition and a Part B composition, wherein the Part A composition comprises a polymerisable component and the Part B composition comprises a hardener material operable to harden the polymerisable component of Part A, wherein the hardener material comprises: a. an aliphatic group, and b. an aromatic group.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a resin bound surface, comprising: a. contacting a Part A composition of a multi-part resin composition with a Part B composition of the multi-part resin composition, wherein the Part A composition comprises a polymerisable component and the Part B composition comprises a hardener material operable to harden the polymersiable component of Part A, wherein the hardener material comprises:

I. an aliphatic group; and ii. an aromatic group, b. contacting the Part A and Part B mixture with an aggregate material, c. applying the mixture of (b) to a surface; d. curing the mixture of (b) to form a resin bound surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a resin bond surface, comprising: a. contacting a Part A composition of a multi-part resin composition with a Part B composition of the multi-part resin composition, wherein the Part A composition comprises a polymerisable component and the Part B composition comprises a hardener material operable to harden the polymersiable component of Part A, wherein the hardener material comprises:

I. an aliphatic group; and ii. an aromatic group, b. applying the Part A-Part B mixture to a surface to form a resin layer c. contacting the aggregate material with the resin layer, d. curing the resin layer to form a resin bond surface.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a bonding system for bonding aggregate material, said system including at least a first, resin, Part A, component and a second, hardener, Part B component and when the said Parts A and B are combined, they form the bonding system for the aggregate material and wherein the said Part B component includes both Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) and Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) materials.

Hereonin, the first resin component is referred to as Part A and the second hardener component is referred to as Part B. In one embodiment the system includes at least a further additive. In one embodiment the at least further additive is added to the Part A component. In one embodiment the said further additive is a Hindered Amine Light stabiliser (HAL) and/or a UV absorber.

In one embodiment the said Parts A and B are liquid. In one embodiment the said Parts A and Part B are miscible.

In one embodiment the system cures once the Parts A and B are mixed and in the presence of average ambient temperatures. Typically, the system cures in a predetermined time at a given ambient temperature.

In one embodiment the said Part A includes polyol, such that the said system is able to bind to the said aggregate material.

In one embodiment the aggregate bonding occurs during curing of the said system.

In one embodiment the said Part A is non-toxic to a person applying the same.

In one embodiment the said Part A further includes an oil, such as Castor or rapeseed oil. Typically Part A also includes a catalyst. Further typically the catalyst is a tin catalyst such as dibutyltin dilaurate catalyst or the like.

In one embodiment Part A also includes other strength improving additives.

In one embodiment the said Part B includes a blend of materials including at least a first hardening material and a second hardening material. In one embodiment the said first hardening material is an MDI trimer. Typically the MDI trimer is a non-UV type trimer. In one embodiment the said second hardening material is an HDI trimer. Typically the HDI trimer is UV- stable.

In one embodiment the first hardening material has characteristics which differ from the second hardening material when the said system has cured and said characteristics can include greater hardness, greater tensile strength and/or greater elongation to break.

In one embodiment the said Part B is composed of approximately 25% of the said first hardening material and approximately 75% of the said second hardening material.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided an area of hardstanding including aggregate bonded using a bonding system as herein defined.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of applying a bonding system to an aggregate material form and area of hardstanding, said method comprising the steps of: a. combining a first resin component and a second hardener component, wherein the said second component includes both Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) and Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) materials; b. combining the said system with the said aggregate material such that the said aggregate material is substantially coated by the system; c. curing the said system such that the said system is sufficiently bonded to the said aggregate material.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein:

Figures 1 a-b illustrate systems as known in the art; and

Figure 1c illustrates a hardstanding unitary body formed by a bonding system and aggregate material in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Figures 2-5 illustrate the method steps of combining the components of the system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, joining with the aggregate material and applying the same to a surface to cure and form a surface area in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantageously, it has been found that the composition of the present disclosure may provide a resin bound/bond surface having improved physical properties, such as improved strength and hardness while maintaining good flexibility. The improved properties may also be maintained while providing a resin bound/bond surface having UV resistance. Such improved properties may also advantageously be obtained without requiring an increase in the weight ratio of Part B to Part A, or the addition of costly additives. The composition of the present disclosure may advantageously provide good starting pot life in combination with good strength and flexibility.

The composition of the present disclosure may be for resin bound surfacing.

In the present disclosure, the combination of Parts A and B of the multi-part resin composition is operable to form the cured resin of a resin bound/bond surfacing. As such, the multi-part resin composition may be considered to be a hardenable multi-part resin composition.

The Part A composition may be a liquid composition.

The polymerisable component may comprise a monomer and/or a polymer, such as an oligomer and/or a (co)polymer. The polymerisable component may comprise a (co)polymer. The polymerisable component may comprise a polyol. "Polyol" and like terms, as used herein, refers to a compound having two or more hydroxyl groups, such as two (diols), three (triols) or four hydroxyl groups (tetrols).

The polymerisable component may comprise a polyester polyol and/or a polyether polyol.

The polymerisable component may comprise a branched (co)polymer, such as a branched polyester polyol and/or branched polyether polyol.

The polyester polyol may comprise a polyol polyglyceride, such as a polyol triglyceride, for example a polyol polyglyceride comprising a hydroxyl functional fatty acid, such as formed from ricinoleic acid, for example as found in castor oil. The polyol polyglyceride may comprise a natural oil polyol. The polyol polyglyceride may comprise a polyglyceride that has been reacted to introduce hydroxyl groups onto an aliphatic chain of the polyglyceride, such as by using ozone with a glycol to introduce hydroxyl groups at an unsaturated carbon-carbon bond on an aliphatic chain.

The polyether polyol may comprise a (co)polymer such as a poly(alkylene glycol) (PAG), for example a poly(C2-6 alkylene glycol). The C2-6 alkylene group may comprise ethylene and/or propylene. The polyether polyol may comprise the polymerisation product of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide. The polyether polyol may comprise a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, such as a block copolymer; polyethylene glycol) (PEG); and/or polypropylene glycol) (PPG).

The polyol polymerisable component may comprise a phenolic resin (or phenol-formaldehyde resin). A phenolic resin may be formed from the reaction of a phenol with an aldehyde or a ketone. The aldehyde may comprise formaldehyde and/or acetaldehyde. The phenol may comprise phenol, butyl phenol, xylenol and/or cresol. The phenolic resin may be a resol-type phenolic resin. The term “resol type” as used herein means a phenolic resin formed in the presence of a basic (alkaline) catalyst and optionally an excess of formaldehyde.

The polymerisable component may comprise a (copolymer having a hydroxyl value (OHV) of >160 mg KOH/g, such as >180 mg KOH/g, or >200 mg KOH/g.

The polymerisable component may comprise a (copolymer having a hydroxyl value (OHV) of <600 mg KOH/g, such as <400 mg KOH/g, or <300 mg KOH/g.

References herein to ‘OHV’ are to the gross OHV and the gross OHV is expressed on solids (i.e. in the absence of any carrier liquids).

The gross hydroxyl value (OHV) may be measured by any suitable method. Methods to measure OHV will be well known to a person skilled in the art. As reported herein, the hydroxyl value is the number of mg of KOH equivalent to the hydroxyl groups in 1g of material. A sample of the solid material (0.13g) was weighed accurately into a conical flask and dissolved, using light heating and stirring as appropriate, in 20ml of tetrahydrofuran. 10ml of 0.1 M 4- (dimethylamino)pyridine in tetrahydrofuran (catalyst solution) and 5ml of a 9 vol% solution of acetic anhydride in tetra hydrofuran (i.e. 90ml acetic anhydride in 910ml tetrahydrofuran; acetylating solution) were then added to the mixture. After 5 minutes, 10ml of an 80 vol% solution of tetrahydrofuran (i.e. 4 volume parts tetrahydrofuran to 1 part distilled water; hydrolysis solution) was added. After 15 minutes, 10ml tetrahydrofuran was added and the solution was titrated with 0.5M ethanolic potassium hydroxide (KOH). A blank sample was also run where the sample of the solid material was omitted. The resulting hydroxyl number was expressed in units of mg KOH/g and was calculated using the following equation:

Hydroxyl value = (V2 - Vi) x molarity of KOH solution (M) x 56.1 weight of solid sample (g) wherein Vi is the titre of KOH solution (ml) of the sample and V2 is the titre of KOH solution (ml) of the blank sample. All values for gross hydroxyl value reported herein were measured in this way.

It will be understood that in the present disclosure ‘polymerisation of the polymerisable component’ may be referring to reaction of the polymerisable component with the hardener material and subsequent curing.

Suitable examples of commercially available polymerisable components include Vuba Resin Binder and Leeson Bound UVR.

The Part A and/or Part B composition may comprise a UV-absorber compound. The Part A composition may comprise a UV-absorber compound. The UV-absorber compound may be operable to absorb UV-light and re-emit the energy at a lower energy state. As such, the UV- absorber may be operable to reduce degradation of the resin bound/bond surfacing when exposed to UV light compared to the resin bound/bond surfacing in absence of the UV-absorber compound.

The UV absorber compound may be a stable UV-absorber compound. As used herein “stable UV-absorber compound” means a compound that is operable to degrade at a slower rate upon exposure to UV light than the cured polymerisable component and hardener material.

The UV-absorber compound may comprise an inert UV-absorber compound. As used herein “inert UV-absorber compound” means a UV-absorber compound that is not operable to harden the polymerisable component. An inert UV-absorber compound may comprise a compound that substantially does not form a covalent bond with the cured polymerisable component and hardener material.

The UV-absorber compound may comprise a small molecule compound. As used herein “small molecule compound” with respect to the UV-absorber may mean a compound having a molar mass of <500 g/mol, such as <400 g/mol or <300 g/mol.

The UV-absorber compound may comprise an aromatic group, such an aromatic heterocycle, for example an aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycle.

The UV-absorber compound may comprise triazine, benzophenone, benzotriazole, cyanoacrylate, carbon black, hydroxybenzophenone, hydroxyphenyl benzotriazole, titanium oxide (rutile), oxamide, hydroxyphenyl triazine, and/or a derivative thereof, such as oxanilide.

The UV-absorber compound may comprise triazine, benzophenone, benzotriazole, hydroxybenzophenone, hydroxyphenyl benzotriazole, oxanilide, hydroxyphenyl triazine, and/or a derivative thereof.

The UV-absorber compound may comprise triazine, oxanilide, and/or a derivative thereof.

The multi-part resin composition may comprise UV-absorber compound in an amount of >0.1 % by solid weight of the multi-part resin composition, such as >0.3 wt% or >0.5 wt%.

The multi-part resin composition may comprise UV-absorber compound in an amount of >0.7% by solid weight of the multi-part resin composition, such as >1 wt% or >1 .5 wt%.

The multi-part resin composition may comprise UV-absorber compound in an amount of <10 % by solid weight of the multi-part resin composition, such as <7 wt% or <5 wt%.

The multi-part resin composition may comprise UV-absorber compound in an amount of <4 % by solid weight of the multi-part resin composition, such as <2 wt% or <1 .5 wt%.

The Part A composition may comprise UV-absorber compound in an amount of >0.5% by solid weight of Part A, such as >0.8wt% or >1 wt%.

The Part A composition may comprise UV-absorber compound in an amount of >1 .5% by solid weight of Part A, such as >2wt% or >2.5 wt%.

The Part A composition may comprise UV-absorber compound in an amount of <15% by solid weight of Part A, such as <10 wt% or <7 wt%.

The Part A composition may comprise UV-absorber compound in an amount of <6% by solid weight of Part A, such as <4 wt% or <3 wt%. As used herein with respect to weight percentage, “by solid weight” refers to the weight of components excluding any solvent or carrier components. The term does not refer only to materials that are exclusively in a solid state of matter. For example, such ‘solids’ as defined for this purpose may include liquid polyols, hardener materials, UV absorbers and light stabilisers.

The Part A and/or Part B composition may comprise a light stabiliser compound. The Part A composition may comprise a light stabiliser compound. The light stabiliser compound may be operable to remove free radicals that are produced by photo-oxidation of the cured polymerisable component and hardener. As such, the light stabiliser compound may be operable to reduce degradation of the resin bound/bond surfacing when exposed to UV light compared to the resin bound/bond surfacing in absence of the light stabiliser compound.

The light stabiliser compound may be operable to cyclically remove free radicals by regeneration of the light stabiliser compound.

The light stabiliser compound may be a stable light stabiliser compound. As used herein “stable light stabiliser compound” means a compound that is operable to degrade at a slower rate upon exposure to UV light than the cured polymerisable component and hardener material.

The light stabiliser compound may comprise an inert light stabiliser compound. As used herein “inert light stabiliser compound” means a light stabiliser compound that is not operable to harden the polymerisable component. An inert light stabiliser compound may comprise a compound that substantially does not form a covalent bond with the cured polymerisable component and hardener material.

The light stabiliser compound may comprise a small molecule compound. As used herein “small molecule compound” with respect to the light stabiliser may mean a compound having a molar mass of <500 g/mol, such as <400 g/mol or <300 g/mol.

The light stabiliser compound may comprise an aliphatic group, such an aliphatic heterocycle, for example an aliphatic nitrogen-containing heterocycle.

The light stabiliser compound may comprise a hindered amine-containing compound. As used herein “hindered amine” means a heterogroup comprising a nitrogen atom having no alphahydrogen.

The light stabiliser compound may comprise tetramethylpiperidine (such as 2, 2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidine), or a derivative thereof. The derivative thereof may comprise dodecyl- and/or tetradecyl- 3-(2,2,4,4tetramethyl-21-oxo-7-oxa-3,20diazadispiro(5.1 .11 ,2)henicosan- 20yl) propionate. The multi-part resin composition may comprise a light stabiliser compound in an amount of >0.05% by solid weight of the multi-part resin composition, such as >0.1 wt% or >0.2 wt%.

The multi-part resin composition may comprise a light stabiliser compound in an amount of >0.5% by solid weight of the multi-part resin composition, such as >0.7 wt% or >0.8 wt%.

The multi-part resin composition may comprise a light stabiliser compound in an amount of <8 % by solid weight of the multi-part resin composition, such as <6 wt% or <4 wt%.

The multi-part resin composition may comprise a light stabiliser compound in an amount of <2 % by solid weight of the multi-part resin composition, such as <1 wt% or <0.5 wt%.

The Part A composition may comprise a light stabiliser compound in an amount of >0.1 % by solid weight of Part A, such as >0.2wt% or >0.4 wt%.

The Part A composition may comprise a light stabiliser compound in an amount of >1% by solid weight of Part A, such as >1 ,4wt% or >1 .6 wt%.

The Part A composition may comprise a light stabiliser compound in an amount of <10% by solid weight of Part A, such as <8 wt% or <5 wt%.

The Part A composition may comprise a light stabiliser compound in an amount of <4% by solid weight of Part A, such as <2 wt% or <1 wt%.

The multi-part resin composition, such as the Part A composition, may comprise a UV-absorber compound and a light stabiliser compound in a weight ratio of at least 1 :2, such as at least 1 :1 or at least 3:2, such as at least 2:1 .

The multi-part resin composition, such as the Part A composition, may further comprise a catalyst, such as a catalyst operable to catalyse the curing of the polymerisable component and the hardener material.

The catalyst may comprise a tin-based catalyst, such as an alkyl tin-based based catalyst, for example dibutyltin dilaurate and/or dioctyltin dilaurate.

The multi-part resin composition, such as the Part A composition, may comprise >0.05 ml/kg of polymerisation catalyst by solid weight of the multi-part resin composition or Part A composition or polyol, such as >0.08 ml/kg or >0.1 ml/kg.

The multi-part resin composition, such as the Part A composition, may comprise <1 ml/kg of polymerisation catalyst by solid weight of the multi-part resin composition or Part A composition or polyol, such as <0.7 ml/kg or <0.5 ml/kg. The multi-part resin composition may further comprise an additive such as a polyol crosslinker material, for example a polyether polyol crosslinker material. The polyol crosslinker material may comprise a tri- or tetra-hydroxyl functional polyol, such as tri-functional. The polyol crosslinker material may have an OHV of at least 400 mg KOH/g, such as at least 450 mg KOH/g. The polyol crosslinker material may have an OHV that is higher than the OHV of the polymerisable component. The Part A composition may comprise a polyol crosslinker material. The Part A composition may comprise a polyol crosslinker material in an amount of at least 2% by weight of solids of the Part A composition, such as at least 4wt% or at least 6wt%. The Part A composition may comprise a polyol crosslinker material in an amount of up to 20% by weight of solids of the Part A composition, such as up to 15wt% or up to 13wt%. Advantageously, a multi-part resin composition comprising a polyol crosslinker material additive may provide a resin-bound/bond surface having further improved strength while maintaining good flexibility.

The Part B composition may be a liquid composition.

In the present disclosure, the aliphatic group of the hardener material and the aromatic group of the hardener material are not required to be present in the same hardener material, although the aliphatic group and the aromatic group may be present in the same hardener material. The aliphatic group and the aromatic group may be present in different hardener materials, such as different hardener materials that do not comprise the other group. For example, the hardener material may comprise a first hardener material comprising an aliphatic group and not comprising an aromatic group, and a second hardener material comprising an aromatic group and not comprising an aromatic group.

The hardener material may comprise: a. an aliphatic hardener material; and b. an aromatic hardener material.

When the multi-part composition comprises different hardener materials comprising the aliphatic group and the aromatic group, such as a first hardener material comprising the aliphatic group (which may also be termed ‘an aliphatic hardener material’) and a second aromatic hardener material comprising the aromatic group (which may also be termed ‘an aromatic hardener material), the multi-part composition may (or may not) further comprise a third hardener material comprising an aliphatic group and an aliphatic group, and/or the first and/or second hardener material may (or may not) independently comprise the other group. For example, the aliphatic first hardener material may (or may not) comprise an aromatic group.

The Part B composition may comprise hardener material in an amount of >90 % by solid weight of Part B, such as >95 wt% or >99 wt%. The aliphatic hardener material comprises an aliphatic group. The aliphatic hardener material may comprise non-aliphatic groups. The aliphatic hardener material may comprise no aromatic groups.

The aliphatic group/aliphatic hardener material may comprise an aliphatic group comprising at least 4 carbon atoms, such as at least 5 or at least 6 carbon atoms. The aliphatic group may contain up to 20 carbon atoms, such as up to 15 carbon atoms or up to 10 carbon atoms.

The aliphatic group may be linear; branched; cyclic; interrupted by a heteroatom selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur; substituted, such as methyl or ethyl substituted; saturated; and/or unsaturated.

The aliphatic group may be linear. The aliphatic group may be saturated. The aliphatic group may have no substituents and/or not be interrupted by a heteratom.

The aliphatic hardener material may be UV-stable. As used herein “UV stable” with respect to the aliphatic hardener material may mean that the aliphatic hardener material is slowerto degrade when exposed to UV light compared to the aromatic hardener material.

The aliphatic hardener material may comprise a monomer and/or (co)polymer, such as an oligomer, for example a dimer and/or trimer.

The aliphatic hardener material may comprise a functional group operable to react with the polymerisable component so as to harden the polymerisable component.

The aliphatic hardener material may be polyfunctional, such as difunctional and/or trifunctional, with respect to the functional group operable to react with the polymerisable component.

The aliphatic hardener material in a monomer form may be formed of an aliphatic group radical joined to the functional groups of the hardener material that are operable to react with the polymerisable component and/or to form a dimer or trimer.

The functional group of the aliphatic hardener material operable to react with the polymerisable component such as to harden the polymerisable component may comprise isocyanate.

The aliphatic hardener material may have an isocyanate value (NCO %) of >15%, such as >18% or >20%. The aliphatic hardener material may have an isocyanate value (NCO %) of <30%, such as <28% or <25%.

The isocyanate value (NCO %) may be measured by any suitable method. Methods to measure NCO% will be well known to a person skilled in the art. As reported herein, a 2.0gm sample was weighed and placed in a 500ml clean dry stopper conical flask. 100ml of dry toluene and 200ml of rectified spirit were added. After complete dissolution, 25 ml of a di-butyl amine and toluene mixture was added to the flask containing the sample. 8 drops of indicator were then added. The solution was then heated with stirring to dissolve the components. The solution was then cooled to ambient temperature. The solution was then titrated with a standard 1 N HCI solution. A blank determination of 100ml toluene, 200ml rectified spirit and 25ml DBA/Toluene mixture was prepared with 8 drops of bromophenol blue indicator.

The resulting isocyanate value was expressed as a percentage and was calculated using the following expression:

% Free NCO = (B-S) x N x 4.2/Wt. of the sample

% NCO = 4.2 x [(ml HCI blank) - (ml HCI sample)]/sample weight

B = Volume of HCL used in blank titration

S = Volume of HCL used with sample titration

N = Normality of HCL

The aliphatic hardener material may comprise an aliphatic polyisocyanate such as an aliphatic diisocyanate and/or aliphatic triisocyanate. The aliphatic polyisocyanate may comprise hexamethylene diisocyanate; and/or a derivative thereof, such as a dimer and/or trimer. The aliphatic hardener material may comprise a trimer of hexamethylene diisocyanate.

The Part B composition may comprise aliphatic hardener material in an amount of >40 % by solid weight of Part B, such as >50 wt% or >55 wt%.

The Part B composition may comprise aliphatic hardener material in an amount of <95 % by solid weight of Part B, such as <90 wt% or <85 wt%.

The Part B composition may comprise aliphatic hardener material in an amount of >40 % by solid weight of the hardener material, such as >50 wt% or >55 wt%.

The Part B composition may comprise aliphatic hardener material in an amount of <95 % by solid weight of the hardener material, such as <90 wt% or <85 wt%.

The above-mentioned ranges of aliphatic hardener material may also apply to the amount of aliphatic hardener material in the multi-part resin composition.

The aromatic hardener material comprises an aromatic group. The aromatic hardener material may comprise non-aromatic groups. The aromatic hardener material may not comprise an aliphatic group having more than 3 carbon atoms, or a non-aromatic group comprising more than 2 carbon atoms in a carbon chain, or a non-aromatic group comprising more than 1 carbon atom in a carbon chain. The aromatic group/aromatic hardener material may comprise an aromatic group that is interrupted by a heteroatom selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur and/or substituted, such as methyl or ethyl substituted. The aromatic group may not be interrupted by a heteroatom.

The aromatic hardener material may be a UV absorber. As used herein “UV absorber” with respect to the aromatic hardener material may mean that the aromatic hardener material is faster to degrade when exposed to UV light compared to the aliphatic hardener material.

The aromatic hardener material may be in the form of a monomer and/or (co)polymer.

The aromatic hardener material may comprise a functional group operable to react with the polymerisable component so as to harden the polymerisable component.

The aromatic hardener material may be polyfunctional, such as difunctional and/or trifunctional, with respect to the functional group operable to react with the polymerisable component.

The aromatic hardener material may comprise an aromatic group radical joined to at least one of the functional groups of the hardener material that are operable to react with the polymerisable component. The aromatic hardener material in monomer form may comprise at least two aromatic groups wherein each aromatic group is joined to at least one of the functional groups of the hardener material that are operable to react with the polymerisable component. The aromatic hardener in monomer form may be formed of two aromatic groups wherein each aromatic group is joined to one of the functional groups of the hardener material that are operable to react with the polymerisable component, wherein the aromatic groups are joined by a carbon atom, and/or dimers, trimers or (co)polymers thereof.

The functional group of the aromatic hardener material operable to react with the polymerisable component such as to harden the polymerisable component may comprise isocyanate.

The aromatic hardener material may have an isocyanate value (NCO %) of >20%, such as >22% or >24%. The aromatic hardener material may have an isocyanate value (NCO %) of >25%, such as >28% or >30%.

The aromatic hardener material may comprise an aromatic polyisocyanate, such as an aromatic diisocyanate and/or aromatic triisocyanate.

The aromatic polyisocyanate may comprise toluene diisocyanate (such as 2,6-toluene diisocyanate); xylylene diisocyanate; naphthalene diisocyanate (such as 1 ,5-naphthalene diisocyanate), methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (such as 4,4’- diphenylmethane diisocyanate), triphenylmethane triisocyanate (such as triphenylmethane-4,4',4"-triisocyanate), and/or a derivative thereof, and/or a (co)polymer thereof, such as polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (for example polymeric 4,4’- diphenylmethane diisocyanate). The aromatic polyisocyanate may comprise methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (such as 4,4’- diphenylmethane diisocyanate), triphenylmethane triisocyanate (such as triphenylmethane- 4,4',4"-triisocyanate), and/or polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (such as polymeric 4,4’- diphenylmethane diisocyanate).

The aromatic polyisocyanate may comprise methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (such as 4,4’- diphenylmethane diisocyanate), and/or polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (such as polymeric 4,4’- diphenylmethane diisocyanate).

The aromatic hardener may comprise >5% of a polymeric aromatic hardener by solid weight of the aromatic hardener, such as >10 wt% or >20wt%.

The aromatic hardener may comprise <60% of a polymeric aromatic hardener by solid weight of the aromatic hardener component, such as <50 wt% or <40wt%.

The Part B composition may comprise aromatic hardener material in an amount of >5 % by solid weight of Part B, such as >10 wt% or >15 wt%.

The Part B composition may comprise aromatic hardener material in an amount of <60 % by solid weight of Part B, such as <50 wt% or <45 wt%.

The Part B composition may comprise aromatic hardener material in an amount of >5 % by solid weight of the hardener material, such as >10 wt% or >15 wt%.

The Part B composition may comprise aromatic hardener material in an amount of <60 % by solid weight of the hardener material, such as <50 wt% or <45 wt%.

The above-mentioned ranges of aromatic hardener material may also apply to the amount of aromatic hardener material in the multi-part resin composition.

The Part B composition may comprise a weight ratio of aliphatic hardener material to aromatic hardener material of at least 1 :1 , such as at least 5:4 or at least 6:4.

The hardener material, and optionally the Part B composition, may have a NCO% of >22%, such as >24% or >25%.

The hardener material, and optionally the Part B composition, may have a NCO% of <40%, such as >38% or >35%.

The Part A composition and the Part B composition may be miscible.

The hardener material is used in sufficient amounts to effect curing of the polymerisable component when Part B is contacted with Part A. The hardening reaction may be cold-cure reaction, such as operable to be carried out at ambient conditions.

The multi-part resin composition may comprise a ratio of the NCO equivalent weight to the OHV equivalent weight of at least 1 :1 , such as at least 11 :10, such as at least 6:5.

The multi-part resin composition may comprise a weight ratio of the Part A composition (or the polyol) to the Part B composition (or hardener material) of at least 1 : 1 by solid weight, such as at least 10:9, or at least 20:17.

The multi-part resin composition may comprise the Part A composition in an amount of >45% by solid weight of the multi-part resin composition, such as >50wt% or >55wt%.

The multi-part resin composition may comprise the Part B composition in an amount of >25% by solid weight of the multi-part resin composition, such as >30wt% or >35wt%.

The multi-part resin composition may comprise the Part B composition in an amount of <55% by solid weight of the multi-part resin composition, such as <50wt% or <45wt%.

The multi-part resin composition may be a two-part resin composition comprising the Part A composition and the Part B composition.

The aggregate material may comprise any suitable material, such as granite, quartz, marble and/or basalt.

The aggregate material may have a D50 particle size of >0.5mm, such as >1 mm. The aggregate material may have a D50 particle size of <15mm, such as <12mm.

The method for forming the resin bound surfacing may comprise mixing the combined Part A and Part B composition for at least 50 seconds, such as at least 60 seconds and/or up to 100 seconds, such as up to 90 seconds, suitably before addition of the aggregate.

The aggregate may be mixed dry for up to 60 seconds prior to addition to the Part A and Part B mixture.

The aggregate may be added to a mixer, such as a forced action mixer, prior to the Part A and Part B mixture.

The combination of the aggregate and the Part A-Part B mixture may be mixed for at least 2 minutes, such as at least 3 minutes and/or up to 5 minutes, such as up to 4 minutes.

The aggregate-Part A-Part B mixture may then be applied to the surface to be covered and left to cure. The method for forming the resin bond surfacing may comprise mixing the combined Part A and Part B composition for at least 50 seconds, such as at least 60 seconds and/or up to 100 seconds, such as up to 90 seconds, optionally with a thixotropic component, such as a powder. The Part A-Part B mixture may then be applied to the surface to be covered. The aggregate may then be contracted with the layer of Part A-Part B mixture layer, such as with a coverage rate of at least 5 kg/m ² , for example at least 6 kg/m ² and/or with a coverage rate of up to 9 kg/m ² , such as up to 8 kg/m ² .

The applied aggregate may then be suitably compacted into the Part A-Part B mixture layer to ensure appropriate contact with the resin surface.

The resin bound surface may be formed from a composition comprising >3% of the multi-part resin by solid weight of the composition, such as >4 wt% or >5 wt%. The resin bound surface may be formed from a composition comprising <15% of the multi-part resin by solid weight of the composition, such as <10 wt% or <8 wt%.

The resin bound surface may be formed from a composition comprising >85% of the aggregate by solid weight of the composition, such as >90 wt% or >92 wt%. The resin bound surface may be formed from a composition comprising <97% of the aggregate by solid weight of the composition, such as <96 wt% or <95 wt%.

The resin bond surface may be formed from a composition comprising >10% of the multi-part resin by solid weight of the composition, such as >12 wt% or >15 wt%. The resin bond surface may be formed from a composition comprising <30% of the multi-part resin by solid weight of the composition, such as <25 wt% or <22 wt%.

The resin bond surface may be formed from a composition comprising >70% of the aggregate by solid weight of the composition, such as >75 wt% or >78 wt%. The resin bond surface may be formed from a composition comprising <90% of the aggregate by solid weight of the composition, such as <88 wt% or <85 wt%.

The cured resin bound/bond surface may be a hardstanding.

The cured resin bound/bond surface may have a tensile strength of >6 MPa, such as >8 MPa or >10 Mpa.

As used herein, tensile strength was measured by using an Instron 5569 with a test temperature 23±2°C and a test speed of 500mm/min.

The cured resin bound/bond surface may have an elongation at break >40%, such as >45% or >50%. As used herein, elongation at break was measured by cutting dumbbell samples from sample sheets using a die cutter to produce samples to ISO 37 type 1 .

The cured resin bound/bond surface may have a Shore A hardness, top surface, of >85, such as >90 or >95.

The cured resin bound/bond surface may have a Shore A hardness, bottom surface, of >85, such as >90 or >95.

As used herein, Shore A hardness was measured by using a handheld Sauter durometer.

Referring now to Figures 1 a-b, it is known to provide a bonding system including a resin Part A component and a hardener Part B component which, when mixed and subsequently mixed with to an aggregate material, and applied to a surface bonds to form an area of hardstanding, such as a driveway or pathway. As shown in Figure 1 a one known bonding system 2’ of Parts A and B is combined with an aggregate material 4 to form a unitary body 6 with an upper surface 8. The bonding system 2’, when cured must be suitably hard to prevent general shaling and general degradation 10 of the system developing in the unitary body 6 over time.

In Figure 1 a the hardstanding area is formed using a first conventional bonding system in which the system is capable of creating relatively strong bonds between the aggregate but the bonding system formed by the mixing of Parts A and B is prone to discolouration when exposed to UV light as indicated by arrow 12 and, overtime, changes to a yellow / brown colourwhich adversely affects the visual appearance of the hardstanding area. This discolouration, or bleaching, of the bonding system over time therefore affects the visual appearance of the drive or pathway which is formed.

It is also known to provide a system 2” as illustrated in Figure 1 b to replace the hardener used in the bonding system of Figure 1a with a hardener which reduces the effect of the exposure to UV light and hence reduces the discolouration of the hardstanding area. However, the unitary body 6 formed using this bonding system is found to be more susceptible to the bonds in the boding system breaking and so reducing the life expectancy of the hard standing area. This breaking down may result in the formation of cracks 10 in the surface 8 of the unitary body 6 formed by the system 2” and the aggregate material 4. The cracks 10 may be formed due to a recess 14 of the aggregate material, or due to force applied to the surface 8 of the unitary body 6 by, for example, a vehicle passing over the same.

Figure 1 c illustrates an embodiment of the system 2 as disclosed in the current application. The system 2 includes the Part A 18 and Part B 20 components. In accordance with the invention Part B 20 includes a combination of both Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) and Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) materials. As a result, the Part B 20 component has a combination of hardness and reduced discolouration characteristics which, until now, has not been achievable

In this embodiment, the Part A 18 component of the bonding system includes a one or more additional components 22 such as a Hindered Amine Light stabiliser (HAL) material to negate or reduce any discolouration effect which may be caused by the inclusion of the MDI material in the Part B 20 component.

The resulting bonding system of the invention with the Part A 18 component and the Part B 20 component means that the hardstanding area which is formed by the bonded aggregate exhibits no or reduced discolouration of the hardstanding area and at the same time allows the hardstanding area which is formed to have a required life expectancy.

Figures 2-5 illustrate method steps of forming a hardstanding area in accordance with the invention. In Figure 2 the Part A 18 component and the Part B 20 component are both placed in a liquid state in a container 24. As shown in Figure 3 a mixer 26 is used to mix the Part A 18 and Part B 20 components together in a liquid form to form the bonding system mixture 29.

The mixture 29 is then added as indicated by arrow 31 into a chamber 27 of a “forced action mixer” apparatus in which the aggregate material 4 is already present. The mixing rotors 14 in the forced action mixer 27 rotate to mix the aggregate and the bonding system mixture 29 in the chamber 27 and the mixed product 34 is then poured out of the chamber 27 by pivoting the chamber about axis 33 and onto the area which is to be covered.

Figure 5 illustrates the application of the mixed aggregate product 34 to a lower surface 28 to be surfaced. The mixed aggregate product 34 is levelled with a suitable tool such as a trowel 30 to ensure an even top surface 8. The mixture 29 then cures in ambient temperatures, forming a unitary body 6. The system 2 further bonds with the lower surface 28 and the edges 32 of the area 29 to be surfaced.

The cured resin bound/bond surface may be UV stable. As used herein “UV stable” with respect to the cured resin bound/bond surface may mean that the resin bound/bond surface substantially maintains colour integrity for at least six months when exposed to UV light, such as for at least 1 year, or at least 5 years, or at least 10 years. “UV stable” may also be defined as substantially maintaining a yellowness index after a given time period, such as at least 6 months, at least 1 year, at least 5 years or at least 10 years. For example, “UV stable” may be defined as having a yellowness index after the given time period that is within 20% of the initial yellowness index (i.e as measured after installation), such as within 10% or 5%.

The term “aliphatic” herein means a hydrocarbon moiety that may be straight chain or branched and may be completely saturated, or contain a unit of unsaturation, but which is not aromatic. The term “unsaturated” means a moiety that has double and/or triple bonds. The term “aliphatic” is therefore intended to encompass alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups. An aliphatic group may be interrupted by a heteroatom.

“Aliphatic” herein includes alicyclic group which is a saturated or partially unsaturated cyclic aliphatic monocyclic or polycyclic (including fused, bridging and spiro-fused) ring system which has from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, that is an alicyclic group with 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 carbon atoms. An alicyclic group may comprise from 3 to 15, such as from 3 to 12, or from 3 to 10, or from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, for example from 3 to 6 carbons atoms.

The term “alicyclic” encompasses cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl and cycloalkynyl groups. It will be appreciated that the alicyclic group may comprise an alicyclic ring bearing a linking or non-linking alkyl substituent, such as -CH2-cyclohexyl. Specifically, examples of the C3-20 cycloalkyl group include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, adamantyl, isobornyl and cyclooctyl.

The term "alk” or “alkyl", as used herein unless otherwise defined, relates to saturated hydrocarbon radicals being straight, branched, cyclic or polycyclic moieties or combinations thereof and contain 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as 1 to 10 carbon atoms, such as 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as 1 to 4 carbon atoms. These radicals may be optionally substituted with a chloro, bromo, iodo, cyano, nitro, OR ¹⁹ , OC(O)R ²⁰ , C(O)R ²¹ , C(O)OR ²² , NR ²³ R ²⁴ , C(O)NR ²⁵ R ²⁶ , SR ²⁷ , C(O)SR ²⁷ , C(S)NR ²⁵ R ²⁶ , aryl or heteroatom, wherein R ¹⁹ to R ²⁷ each independently represent hydrogen, aryl or alkyl, and/or be interrupted by oxygen or sulphur atoms, or by silano or dialkylsiloxane groups. Examples of such radicals may be independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tertbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, pentyl, iso-amyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, 3-methylpentyl, octyl and the like. The term “alkylene”, as used herein, relates to a bivalent radical alkyl group as defined above. For example, an alkyl group such as methyl which would be represented as -CH3, becomes methylene, -CH2-, when represented as an alkylene. Other alkylene groups should be understood accordingly.

The term “alkenyl”, as used herein, relates to hydrocarbon radicals having a double bond, such as up to 4, double bonds, being straight, branched, cyclic or polycyclic moieties or combinations thereof and containing from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, such as 2 to 10 carbon atoms, such as from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, such as 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as 2 to 4 carbon atoms. These radicals may be optionally substituted with a hydroxyl, chloro, bromo, iodo, cyano, nitro, OR ¹⁹ , OC(O)R ²⁰ , C(O)R ²¹ , C(O)OR ²² , NR ²³ R ²⁴ , C(O)NR ²⁵ R ²⁶ , SR ²⁷ , C(O)SR ²⁷ , C(S)NR ²⁵ R ²⁶ , or aryl, wherein R ¹⁹ to R ²⁷ each independently represent hydrogen, aryl or alkyl, and/or be interrupted by oxygen or sulphur atoms, or by silano or dialkylsiloxane groups. Examples of such radicals may be independently selected from alkenyl groups include vinyl, allyl, isopropenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, 1 -propenyl, 2-butenyl, 2- methyl-2-butenyl, isoprenyl, farnesyl, geranyl, geranylgeranyl and the like. The term “alkenylene”, as used herein, relates to a bivalent radical alkenyl group as defined above. For example, an alkenyl group such as ethenyl which would be represented as -CH=CH2, becomes ethenylene, -CH=CH-, when represented as an alkenylene. Other alkenylene groups should be understood accordingly.

The term "alkynyl", as used herein, relates to hydrocarbon radicals having a triple bond, such as up to 4, triple bonds, being straight, branched, cyclic or polycyclic moieties or combinations thereof and having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, such as 2 to 10 carbon atoms, such as from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, such as from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as 2 to 4 carbon atoms. These radicals may be optionally substituted with a hydroxy, chloro, bromo, iodo, cyano, nitro, OR ¹⁹ , OC(O)R ²⁰ , C(O)R ²¹ , C(O)OR ²² , NR ²³ R ²⁴ , C(O)NR ²⁵ R ²⁶ , SR ²⁷ , C(O)SR ²⁷ , C(S)NR ²⁵ R ²⁶ , or aryl, wherein R ¹⁹ to R ²⁷ each independently represent hydrogen, aryl or lower alkyl, and/or be interrupted by oxygen or sulphur atoms, or by silano or dialkylsiloxane groups. Examples of such radicals may be independently selected from alkynyl radicals include ethynyl, propynyl, propargyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl and the like. The term “alkynylene”, as used herein, relates to a bivalent radical alkynyl group as defined above. For example, an alkynyl group such as ethynyl which would be represented as -C=CH, becomes ethynylene, -C=C-, when represented as an alkynylene. Other alkynylene groups should be understood accordingly.

The term “aryl” as used herein, relates to an organic radical derived from an aromatic hydrocarbon by removal of one hydrogen, and includes any monocyclic, bicyclic or polycyclic carbon ring of up to 7 members in each ring, wherein at least one ring is aromatic. These radicals may be optionally substituted with a hydroxy, chloro, bromo, iodo, cyano, nitro, OR ¹⁹ , OC(O)R ²⁰ , C(O)R ²¹ , C(O)OR ²² , NR ²³ R ²⁴ , C(O)NR ²⁵ R ²⁶ , SR ²⁷ , C(O)SR ²⁷ , C(S)NR ²⁵ R ²⁶ , or aryl, wherein R ¹⁹ to R ²⁷ each independently represent hydrogen, aryl or lower alkyl, and/or be interrupted by oxygen or sulphur atoms, or by silano or dialkylsilicon groups. Examples of such radicals may be independently selected from phenyl, p-tolyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-(tert-butoxy)phenyl, 3-methyl-4- methoxyphenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 3-nitrophenyl, 3-aminophenyl, 3- acetamidophenyl, 4-acetamidophenyl, 2-methyl-3-acetamidophenyl, 2-methyl-3-aminophenyl, 3- methyl-4-aminophenyl, 2-amino-3-methylphenyl, 2,4-dimethyl-3-aminophenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, 3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl, 1 -naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, 3-amino-1 -naphthyl, 2-methyl-3-amino-1 - naphthyl, 6-amino-2-naphthyl, 4,6-dimethoxy-2-naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, biphenyl, phenanthryl, anthryl or acenaphthyl and the like. The term “arylene”, as used herein, relates to a bivalent radical aryl group as defined above. For example, an aryl group such as phenyl which would be represented as -Ph, becomes phenylene, -Ph-, when represented as an arylene. Other arylene groups should be understood accordingly. For the avoidance of doubt, the reference to alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl or aralkyl in composite groups herein should be interpreted accordingly, for example the reference to alkyl in aminoalkyl or alk in alkoxyl should be interpreted as alk or alkyl above etc.

As used herein, unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers such as those expressing values, ranges, amounts or percentages may be read as if prefaced by the word "about", even if the term does not expressly appear. Also, the recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all integer numbers and, where appropriate, fractions subsumed within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 can include 1 , 2, 3, 4 when referring to, for example, a number of elements, and can also include 1.5, 2, 2.75 and 3.80, when referring to, for example, measurements). The recitation of end points also includes the end point values themselves (e.g. from 1 .0 to 5.0 includes both 1 .0 and 5.0). Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. When ranges are given, any endpoints of those ranges and/or numbers within those ranges can be combined within the scope of the present invention.

Singular encompasses plural and vice versa. For example, although reference is made herein to "a" hardener material, “a” polymerisable component, and the like, one or more of each of these and any other components can be used. As used herein, the term "polymer" refers to oligomers and both homopolymers and copolymers, and the prefix "poly" refers to two or more.

As used herein, the terms "on", "applied on/over", "formed on/over", "deposited on/over", "overlay" and "provided on/over" mean formed, overlay, deposited, or provided on but not necessarily in contact with the surface.

The terms "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised of’ as used herein are synonymous with "including", "includes" or "containing", "contains", and are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, non-recited members, elements or method steps. Additionally, although the present invention has been described in terms of “comprising”, the coating compositions detailed herein may also be described as “consisting essentially of’ or “consisting of’. Although the present invention has been described in terms of “obtainable by”, the associated features of the present invention detailed herein may also be independently described as “obtained by”.

As used herein, the term "and/or," when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a list is described as comprising group A, B, and/or C, the list can comprise A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination, B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

Although the invention has been described in terms of ‘comprising’, ‘consisting essentially of or ‘consisting of are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, the multi-part resin composition may consist of the Part A composition and the Part B composition. Where ranges are provided in relation to a genus, each range may also apply additionally and independently to any one or more of the listed species of that genus.

All of the features contained herein may be combined with any of the aspects herein and in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the following experimental data.

EXAMPLES

Multi-part resin compositions for Inventive Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were prepared from the components of Table 1 by mixing.

Table 1 - Multi-part resin compositions

¹ Vuba Resin Binder available from Vuba Building Products Limited, with DBTDL catalyst at 0.16ml/kg (polyester- and polyether-based polyol)

² Addworks LXR 313, available from Azelis

³ Hostavin 3212, available from Azelis

⁴ Ravasol pMDI, available from Ravago Chemicals

⁵ Coronate HXR, available from Triiso

Test samples for Inventive Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were produced from the respective multi-part resin composition of Table 1 by combining Parts A and B with mixing at the given ratio.

The test samples for Inventive Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were tested for UV stability by comparison of visual observations before and after three days of exposure to UV light. It was found the two samples had the same level of UV resistance.

Test Samples for Inventive Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 were prepared in the same way as for Inventive Example 1 from the components of Table 2. Table 2 - Multi-part resin composition

’Leeson Bound UVR available from Leeson, contains catalyst

² Addworks LXR 313, available from Azelis

³ Hostavin 3212, available from Azelis

⁴ Ravasol pMDI, available from Ravago Chemicals

⁵ Coronate HXR, available from Triiso

The test samples for Inventive Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 were tested for tensile strength, elongation at break and Shore A hardness as follows.

Elongation at break: dumbbell samples were cut from the sample sheets using a die cutter to produce samples to ISO 37 type 1 . The test results were taken as the average of several samples cut from each sheet.

Tensile strength: testing of the samples was performed using an Instron 5569. Test temperature 23±2°C.Test speed 500mm/min.

Shore A hardness: measurements were taken using a handheld Sauter durometer.

The tested samples had a width of 6.2mm and an average thickness of 4.7mm.

The results are shown in Table 3.

Table 3 - Results

The results show that a multi-part resin composition according to the present invention provides the combination of improved strength and hardness while maintaining good UV resistance and flexibility compared to the comparative multi-part resin. Furthermore, the advantages shown have been achieved at a relatively low ratio of Part B to the polyol, helping to also reduce the cost of the multi-part resin composition.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.