Pierre Castan
Swiss chemist (1899–1985), widely recognized as a co‑pioneer of modern epoxy resins through early epoxide–diphenol research, patents, and industrial transfer to large‑scale production.
Early Life and Education
Pierre Castan was born in Bern on 17 August 1899 and trained as a chemist in Switzerland, completing doctoral studies at the University of Geneva. Early posts spanned the Swiss dye and coatings sector and applied research roles, providing a practical foundation for later industrial polymer work.
Epoxy Breakthrough (Late 1930s)
By the mid‑to‑late 1930s, while working with Swiss industry (including dental and coatings contexts), Castan synthesized resins derived from epichlorohydrin and diphenolic precursors. He observed that, upon curing with anhydrides, the resulting materials formed exceptionally hard, chemically resistant networks—properties now emblematic of modern epoxy systems.
Castan filed patent protection in 1938; grants followed around 1940, marking some of the earliest epoxide‑based resin disclosures. In parallel, similar developments occurred in the United States (notably Sylvan Greenlee), together laying the groundwork for post‑war epoxy commercialization.
Patents, Licensing, and Commercialization
During the 1940s, Castan’s intellectual property was licensed to Ciba (later associated with the Araldite brand). Industrial scaling in the post‑war period enabled the first widely marketed epoxy adhesives and coatings. The Araldite trade name became closely associated with epoxy technology for decades, spanning structural bonding, protective coatings, and electrical encapsulation.
Later Career and Professional Service
Castan’s subsequent career included technical leadership in varnish and coatings manufacturing in Geneva. He contributed to professional societies and conferences (e.g., FATIPEC), and in recognition of his lifetime achievements he received honors including the Jaubert Prize of the University of Geneva.
Scientific and Industrial Impact
Castan’s work helped establish the now‑classical route to epoxies based on diglycidyl ethers of bisphenols (e.g., DGEBA), ushering in a materials class with: strong substrate adhesion, low cure shrinkage, chemical/solvent resistance, and tunable performance via curing agents and modifiers. These attributes underpin today’s epoxy usage in protective coatings, structural adhesives, fiber‑reinforced composites, and electronic encapsulation.
1938–1940: Early epoxide–diphenol resin patents filed/granted in Switzerland.
1943–1946: Licensing and industrial commercialization; emergence of the Araldite brand.
1950s–1970s: Expansion of epoxy applications across coatings, electrical, and composites; conference leadership and professional recognition.
Related People and Pages
References & Further Reading
- Wikipedia — Pierre Castan (concise biography and context).
- Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz (HLS) — biographical entry (German/French/Italian).
- DBpedia — Pierre Castan — structured data from Wikipedia.
- Novartis (formerly Ciba) — corporate history including Ciba, the early licensee of Pierre Castan's epoxy patents.
- For historical patents and books on epoxies, see:
- NLA catalogue — early epoxy references
- Lee, H., & Neville, K. (1967). Handbook of Epoxy Resins, McGraw‑Hill. Google Books
If you have archival materials or primary documents related to Castan’s early patents and correspondence, please reach out via our contact page.