Epoxy fatty acids and their derivatives were heated in nitrogen atmosphere at 70, 95, 120 and 150°C, and oxirane oxygen content (and neutralization value) of each sample was determined.
When solid epoxy compound lost about 20% of oxirane oxygen by heating, it was changed into viscous liquid, and when it lost about 70% of oxirane oxygen, it was changed into gel.
Cis-epoxy fatty acid lost more oxirane oxygen than carboxyl group by heating, whereas traps-epoxy fatty acid lost more carboxyl group than oxirane oxygen.
At experimental temperature, trans-epoxy compound was more stable than cis-epoxy compound, and ester and amide of epoxy fatty acid were much more stable than the epoxy fatty acid. Metal epoxy stearates were not stable except barium salt.