•ZIF-61/BCE composites were first prepared by solvent mixing method.•The curing mechanism of ZIF-61/BCE was discussed by FTIR.•Mechanism schematic was drawn.•ZIF-61/BCE at 0.5 wt% has a higher (ca. 60 °C)glass-transition temperature than pure BCE.•ZIF-61/BCE at 0.5 wt% shows stronger ability to resist deformation than that of pure BCE.ZIF-61 modified BCE composites were first prepared by solvent method. The catalytic mechanism of ZIF-61 in the curing process of BCE resin was analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) under different temperature. ZIF-61with Lewis acidity could accelerate the curing reaction rate of ZIF-61/BCE composites. The detailed kinetic data of ZIF-61/BCE composites and pure BCE resins was calculated. Dynamic thermomechanical analysis(DTMA) showed that the glass-transition temperature of ZIF-61/BCE (0.5 wt%) composites was increased ca.60 °C than that of pure BCE.