Curamine Polyamides
CURAMINE polyamides are condensation products of multi-functional carboxylic acids with amines. As with amido-amines an almost equivalent ratio of material results in low residual “free amine” levels and as such, this class of curing agent also has low volatility and irritation potential.
Polyamides have much higher molecular weight than the amido-amine range and as such are generally higher in viscosity. They have even greater tolerance to mix ratio violation and may be selectively used at variable ratios to influence the toughness. Deviation above and below stoichiometric concentrations enables the performance to vary from hard and rigid films through to soft and flexible coatings with increasing curing agent level. Again selected process techniques can enable specific imidazoline levels to be obtained and the resultant variation in cure.
An alternate approach is the adduction of the polyamide with epoxy in order to improve subsequent compatibility with the epoxy component of the system. This technique is employed in some of our products and the resultant grades have improved surface appearance, especially when cured at lower temperatures. They may still be blended with other types of curing agents to tailor performance.
Many of the polyamides and adducted polyamides are high in viscosity and are offered “pre-cut” in solvents. In addition to standard xylene solutions we offer unique customer dilutions to satisfy specific requirements and will be pleased to discuss these options. Additionally, we offer medium viscosity “non-solvated” polyamide adducts developed for solvent free coatings. We recommend discussion with our technical sales staff in order to establish the optimum product types for your application.
curamine 30-100
Standard semi-solid polyamide with maximum flexibility. [ Solution grades available to ease handling ]
curamine 30-115
Standard high viscosity polyamide with good overall properties. [ Solution grades available to ease handling ]
curamine 30-125
Standard medium viscosity polyamide with good overall properties. [ Solution grades available to ease handling ]
curamine 30-140
Standard low viscosity polyamide with good general properties.
curamine 30-250 BX70
Modified polyamide solution.
curamine 30-260 BX60
Modified polyamide solution with improved cure under adverse conditions.
curamine 30-270 BX50
Modified polyamide solution with improved cure under adverse conditions.
curamine 30-280 B75
Modified polyamide solution with high solids content and improved cure under adverse conditions.
curamine 30-697
Modified polyamide with very high flexibility and toughness – high loading level.
curamine 30-850
Modified polyamide with moderate cure rate.
curamine 30-887
Non Toxic 30-850
curamine 30-887 F
Non Toxic 30-850 F with improved low temperature cure.
Curamine Aliphatic Amines
CURAMINE aliphatic amine based epoxy-curing agents comprise of unmodified and modified grades. Unmodified grades are essentially multi-functional amines consisting of primary, secondary and tertiary amine groups linked via ethylene units. Unmodified grades are low in viscosity, have low usage rates and are generally very reactive. Chemical resistance and mechanical performance is high but the high cross-link density that confers these properties also causes the cured products to lack flexibility. Additionally, they are problematic to handle and have limited compatibility with most epoxy resins resulting in film surface exudation and subsequent “blushing” and “water spotting.” Selective modification can enable the formulation of modified aliphatic amines that retain the more favourable qualities whilst reducing or eliminating the associated problematical aspects.
CURAMINE modified aliphatic amine based curing agents can be characterised by their rapid cure rates, high degree of chemical resistance [ especially solvent ] and high heat distortion temperatures. This class of epoxy curing agents have reasonable colour and colour retention [ for maximum colour and colour retention – see modified cyclo-aliphatics] and cure well at ambient temperatures. Whilst the ambient cure of correctly formulated systems produces a high level of performance and is sufficient for most applications, the use of post-cure schedules will enhance the elevated temperature, mechanical and electrical properties.
curamine 31-501
Low viscosity, light coloured grade with good pot-life. [ Nonyl phenol free variant available ].
curamine 31-532
Low viscosity grade with good colour and very high reactivity. Reasonable cure under high humidity.
curamine 31-537
Low viscosity mannich base with good reactivity and cure under adverse conditions. [ Phenol free variants available ]
curamine 31-539
Low viscosity fast cure grade with good colour and high gloss films. [ Nonyl phenol free variant available ]
curamine 31-555
Low viscosity slow cure grade with moisture tolerance and good gloss films.
curamine 31-714
Low viscosity phenol free mannich base curing agent with good low temperature cure and property development.
curamine 31-715
Low viscosity medium reactivity grade with reasonable colour and good chemical resistance.
curamine 31-724
Low viscosity grade with good reactivity. Offers flexibility and hydrophobic character to cured films.
Curamine Solid Adducts
Our range of products includes “in-situ” and isolated variations with all solid grades being offered in a variety of optional solvents for ease of use. Within this section are grades suitable for ambient and mild cure processes and offering low residual free amine and low irritation potential.
The main conventional grades offer low bloom, high flexibility, adhesion and light coloured cured films. Some of the special grades are for high temperature processes and offer high TG and chemical resistance characteristics. Main applications are in civil engineering and primers/coatings for metal with some of the specialist grades being used in structural and electrical laminate.
CURAMINE solid adducted amine based epoxy-curing agents again comprise of both solid and pre-solvated grades. These grades are adducted with higher molecular weight epoxy resins and as such have many beneficial performance properties. Solid adducts find application in the formulation of room temperature curing solvent-based systems and may be used in conjunction with solid, medium molecular weight epoxy resin components. They may also be used as solid grades in the formulation of powder coating systems for special applications. [ Further specific details regarding powder coating hardeners is the subject of a separate guidance note and advice should be sought from our technical sales staff. ]
CURAMINE solid amine adducts have long pot-lives. Solid amine adducts can be processed by “in-situ” and “isolated” techniques. Isolated amine adducts have reduced levels of residual free amine which subsequently reduces the tendency of the system to bloom.
The low level of free amine also ensures that they have a low irritation potential improving the health and safety classification. These materials are characterised by their colour and provide non-yellowing films with good chemical and solvent resistance. Correctly formulated systems are tough and flexible and exhibit excellent adhesive performance to a variety of different materials and substrates.
The aforementioned properties make solid amine adducts highly suitable for the formulation of a variety of industrial coatings. They are formulated into systems that act as sealants for wood or concrete, as anti-corrosion paints and as adhesive primers for metals. They are also used as high performance finishes to surfaces to be protected from corrosion and chemical attack.
Bitrez Ltd. offer pre-diluted solid adducts for ease of use and convenience. Solid material is available for proprietary dilution in customer specific solvent blends.
curamine 31-549
Conventional isolated adduct [ EDA based ] with a variety of solvated options available.
curamine 31-549 BMPX50
Standard solution version of CURAMINE 31-549 : 50% in Butanol/Methoxy Propanol/Xylene.
curamine 31-549 MP50
Standard solution version of CURAMINE 31-549 : 50% in Methoxy Propanol. [ A variety of solvated option available ].
Curamine cyclo-aliphatic amines
We offer an extensive range of products that have different reactivity profiles but may be characterised by their relatively low viscosity, good colour and colour retention, high gloss and relatively low temperature cure.
Chemical resistance and mechanical performance is good and “post-cured” systems offer even greater resiliency. Main applications are in flooring, high solids and solvent free coatings. CURAMINE cyclo-aliphatic amine based epoxy-curing agents again comprise of unmodified and modified grades. Unmodified grades are generally low in viscosity and have relatively low usage rates. For some elevated temperature curing applications [ as part of a matrix system ] or for high performance casting systems, the unmodified grades can offer excellent performance. These materials can impart excellent colour and colour stability in addition to the high thermal and chemical resistance performance. Unmodified cyclo-aliphatic amines tend to “B” stage with ambient cures and suffer from a tendency to carbonate [ water spot ] in addition to being corrosive and of high irritation potential. For all ambient cured applications the use of modified grades is recommended in order to achieve desirable results.
CURAMINE modified cyclo-aliphatic amine based curing agents can be characterised by there excellent colour and colour stability. The various modifications employed has enabled us to offer grades that vary from relatively slow curing – long “pot-life” materials through to grades that cure rapidly.
curamine 32-523
Low viscosity, phenol free mannich base with good cure under adverse conditions and good chemical resistance.
curamine 32-544
Very low viscosity, excellent colour and relatively high reactivity.
curamine 32-545
Low viscosity, excellent colour and good reactivity. Excellent chemical resistance.
curamine 32-545 S
Low reactivity variant of CURAMINE 32-545 with longer open time for warmer climates.
curamine 32-546
Low viscosity, excellent colour and moderate reactivity. Cured films exhibit high gloss and good chemical resistance.
curamine 32-546 F
Higher reactivity variant of CURAMINE 32-546 with faster cure rate.
curamine 32-548
Low viscosity mannich base with good cure under adverse conditions and good chemical resistance.
curamine 32-557
Low viscosity, excellent colour and good reactivity. Cured films exhibit high gloss and good chemical resistance.
curamine 32-749
Low viscosity, excellent colour and moderate reactivity. Cured films exhibit improved water spotting resistance.
curamine 32-749 F
Higher reactivity variant of CURAMINE 32-749 with faster cure rate.
The number of techniques used to modify is slightly less than those used for the aliphatic amine range but nonetheless a multitude of properties and performance levels are obtained through selected use of base components and modification technique. As with the aliphatic amines, included within the cyclo-aliphatic based portfolio is a number of mannich base curing agents that offer even greater chemical resistance and excellent low temperature and high humidity cure characteristics. Due to the introduction of some aromaticity through the phenolic nuclei the mannich modified grades are generally darker in colour and are not as colour stable.
In addition to adduction and incorporation of special additives to promote cure and development of system properties, many of the grades are modified with inert or activating flexibilisers to overcome the inherent “brittleness” associated with this cyclic product group. These modification techniques result in curing agents that offer high gloss, blush resistance and colour stability.
Due to their aesthetic performance, resilient cure and colour stability, the CURAMINE range of modified cyclo-aliphatic amine based curing agents are used extensively in non-yellowing decorative coatings and flooring systems. The mannich bases are used in priming applications and in formulated coal tar based products amongst others. Again as a result of our extensive expertise in phenolic resin manufacture we offer low residual free phenol and phenol free mannich bases with reduced hazard rating.
Elevated cure schedules can be employed to enhance properties and systems subjected to post-cure operations have excellent chemical resistance, mechanical and electrical properties.
Curamine Ketamines
We offer a relatively small but effective range of ketamine curing agents that may be characterised by their low viscosity and low reactivity with cured films offering performance characteristics comparable to the unmodified amine from which they are derived.
Main application areas in the formulation of high solids coatings, adhesives and industrial flooring systems especially when employed as a co-curing agent modifier.
CURAMINE ketamine curing agents are low viscosity condensation products of ketones with the primary amine groups from the selected amine base from which the product is derived. These materials are relatively stable with epoxy resins allowing for long open-times or pot-life. The amine/ketone reaction conducted to form the product is reversible and the introduction of water [ atmospheric humidity ] regenerates the original ketone and amine species. The amine is subsequently available to react with the epoxy component and the ketone is liberated from the system as a volatile solvent.
ketamine are characterised by their low viscosity and long pot-life. Cured properties are comparable with the amine from which they are derived. They are commonly used in conjunction with other CURAMINE grades in order to reduce the viscosity and extend the pot-life of the formulated system.
These products exhibit excellent cure rate in thin film [ high humidity required ] whilst retaining their long open time in mass. Several grades are available including reactive and blocked grades for use with epoxy resins.
With the aliphatic ethylene amine derived grades the blocked option shows less tendency to blush than unmodified equivalents.
It should be noted that the reactivity of this class of curing agent and the cure rate of the resultant formulated coating would decrease rapidly at temperatures below 15℃ and a relative humidity of below 30 per cent. This should be taken into consideration when formulating systems and considering their use and application.
CURAMINE ketamine curing agents are recommended for use in high solids or low VOC maintenance and specialised marine coatings, flooring and adhesives. As mentioned previously they can be combined with other curing agents for use in an extensive number of other applications, included to reduce viscosity and/or extend pot-life.
Ketamines 33-914
Characterised by low viscosity and a long pot-life making it highly suitable for modification of other curing agent materials.
Curamine Aromatic Amines
Aromatic amine based products are characterised by their high chemical resistance and mechanical performance following suitable processing. When fully cured systems offer excellent service. It’s main application is in chemical resistant heat cured systems.
CURAMINE aromatic amines comprise of both unmodified and modified grades. Unmodified grades are generally solids although selective blending of specific isomers can enable eutectic mixes to be prepared. For some elevated temperature curing applications with fibre re-enforcement or for high performance casting systems, the unmodified grades can offer outstanding performance. These materials are generally dark in colour and will darken with time. Even when supplied with lower colour figures this is no indication of the product suitability for use in coatings where colour is important. Whilst the colour will deteriorate the product performance will be unaffected.
Aromatic amines provide excellent thermal and chemical performance when subjected to post-curing operations. They have high Tg and retention of mechanical strengths at temperature making them ideally suited for use in systems designed to operate in the harshest environments.
Unmodified aromatic amines tend to “B” stage with ambient cure and are difficult to process. For all ambient cured applications the use of modified grades is recommended in order to achieve desirable results.
curamine 34-075
Heat curing liquid aromatic amine – faster version of 34-077.
curamine 34-077
Heat curing liquid aromatic amine with excellent thermal and chemical resistance characteristics. [DETDA]
curamine 34-094
Heat curing liquid aromatic amine with excellent thermal and chemical resistance characteristics. [DDS]
curamine 34-816
Heat curing liquid aromatic amine with excellent thermal and chemical resistance characteristics.
Curamine Latent & Speciality Grades
We offer a variety of latent and speciality grades comprised of numerous product types that do not readily fit within the generic sub-groups detailed elsewhere and offer unique features. Within the range are high reactivity amine and non-amine derivatives, specialist dispersions that offer ease of use, convenient handling and reduced safety issues in addition to latent curing products that enable the formulation of single part systems for heat cure.
The wide and varied nature of the products within this class means that there is no logical way to characterise them or define the main application areas and due to the special nature of these materials they require discussion with technical staff to aid selection.
Bitrez Ltd. offers an extensive range of materials that are utilised with epoxy resins. Aside from many of the epoxy curing agents listed in this guide we offer phenolic and amino resins, powder hardeners and specialist grades developed for specific industries.
Additionally we have a series of products developed for the curing of epoxy that do not easily fall within any specific established group and some of the grades are listed here.
Some of the curing agents, catalysts and accelerators listed elsewhere within this guide and from within our range can be classified as latent curing agents and could well have fallen within this group. To avoid duplication, if a product is predominantly used for acceleration or catalytic cure it is listed under the area in which it finds its main use.
curamine 39-730
Polymercaptan curing agent with high adhesion and flexibility. [ Pre-accelerated grade with very rapid cure rate ]
curamine 39-731
Polymercaptan curing agent with high adhesion and flexibility. [ Requires accelerator for rapid cure rate ]