An Excellent Catalyst for High Temperature Epoxy Cures
Hycat™ SM3
By Renato Rindone/President & Director of Research
Volume II, Issue February, 2010
One major problem encountered with some catalysts used in high temperature (>200 OC) epoxy cures is the tendency to form a rough surface, bubbles or voids due to the volatilization of low boiling components contained in the catalyst or decomposition of the catalyst. Hycat™ SM3, produced by Dimension Technology Chemical Systems, Inc., has effectively eliminated this problem. For example, in a formulation containing a cycloaliphatic diepoxy (Lindride 190) and MHHPA (Lindride 52D) catalyzed with 4% DBU (1,8-Diazabicyclo [5.4.0] Undec-7-ene) the reaction completely decomposed at 200 OC and bubbled over the test pan.
Although using Hycat™ 3000S in the same formulation gave quick cures that were under 3 minutes at 200 OC, bubbles were formed on the surface and the weight loss of the cured product was substantial at 2%. But using the newly developed Hycat™ SM3 catalyst these problems were eliminated. As can be seen in the photos below, the cure (<3 minutes) results in a smooth surface and is free of entrapped bubbles. Using Hycat™ SM3 the weight loss of the product was less than 0.2% and gave a Durometer-D hardness of 86.
Photos of the cured surface using the Hycat™ SM3 shows it to be smooth and without bubbles.
Hycat™ SM3 is an excellent catalyst where high temperature quick cures are needed.
Hycat™ SM3 shows the following properties:
- Density at 22 OC
1.004 g/ml
- Room Temperature (25 OC) Gel Time (Garner Torsion Device)
Empol 1016 Dimer Acid 30.8 grams
Lindoxy 190 (cycloaliphatic epoxide) 14.2 grams
Hycat™ SM3 6.25 grams
Gel Time 30 to 36 minutes
- Viscosity Profile (cps)
Because Hycat™ SM3 is a new catalyst, the aging studies are still on going but so far the data shows the product is quite stable at room temperature (20-22 OC) as determined by constant catalyst activity and essentially no viscosity change.
| Time (days) | Gel Time at 25 OC (min.) | Viscosity at 24-25 OC (cps)
|
| 0 |
31.9 |
1040 |
| 11 |
31.5 |
1032 |
| 22 |
36.4 |
1114 |
| 29 |
30.3 |
1082 |
| 54 |
33.0 |
1008 |
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