A set of aliphatic amine epoxide hardeners were characterized. The method used is based on potentiometric titration. The hardeners correspond to compounds of linear structure: ethyleneamine (EDA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA), tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), and compounds of cyclic structure: 1 - (2-aminoethyl) piperazine (AEP), isoforondiamine (IPD) and 4,4’-diamine-3, 3'-dimethylciclohexilmetano (3DCM). The amine hydrogen equivalent weight (MEHA) was determined for each compound by an indirect method. The method is a technique of potentiometric titration in water, the reaction of amine-type nitrogen protonation occurred using a standard solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl). The procedure also provides value amine (milligrams of KOH per gram of hardener) for each compound. The pH of the aqueous solution (1 g in 100 ml of water) was also determined in order to assess the degree of basicity. The graphics obtained from pH vs Vol solution of HCl revealed that there are one or two jumps for the compound. This behavior was related to the protonation reactions for primary, secondary and tertiary nitrogens present in the compound. The experimental values of MEHA were very close to the theoretical values calculated. The technique is simple and can be used in any laboratory of control.
aliphatic amine; epoxy resin; potentiometric titration
