Epoxy Resin Accelerators
The information below provides a brief overview of some of the capabilities and applications of Hycat™ 2000S, Hycat™ 3000S, and Hycat™ OA as well as information about the catalyst themselves. For more technical data please refer to our PDF data sheet or our patent. If you are interested in a free sample for your R&D team please fill out our request form.
The active ingredient in Hycat™ 2000S, Hycat™ 3000S, and Hycat™ OA is based on an activated (DTCS Proprietary Process) oxo-centered-trinuclear [chromium III] complex. Chromium III compounds are generally considered to be non-toxic by the EPA. Depending on catalyst concentration and formulation, cured products range in color from light to dark green. Typical catalyst loadings range from 1 to 5 % however higher or lower concentrations can be used depending on the formulation and desired end result. Cures and gels are typically realized at low to moderate temperatures (15-50O C.)Fast cures, from seconds to a couple of minutes are realized with temperatures higher than 50O C.
It is important to note that non-toxic Chromium (III) derivatives should not to be confused with the hazardous chromium (VI) valency compounds. Large quantities of chromium (III) compounds are used by the general public and various industries. For example, chromium (III) picolinate, a vitamin supplement, is sold in drug stores and health food stores. Chromium (III) compounds are also used by the petroleum industry in a number of applications and are considered to be environmentally friendly. A recently published EPA report [Toxicological Review of Trivalent Chromium] addresses this issue. Clearly, chromium (III) compounds, found in the Hycat™ 2000S, Hycat™ 3000S and Hycat™ OA should not be confused with the hazardous chromium (VI) compounds.
Hycat™ OA, Hycat™ 2000S and Hycat™ 3000S are commonly used to accelerate the reaction of epoxy compounds with carboxylic acids, anhydrides and imides. These catalysts are especially effective in polymer cure systems at room temperature or slightly elevated temperatures. Studies show that when epoxide systems are catalyzed with these Hycat™ Catalysts, very little homopolymerization occurs. By using compounds with monomeric, dimeric or trimeric functional groups, the degree of cross-linking and therefore the mechanical properties of the resulting product can be advantageously modified.
Both the Hycat™ 2000S and Hycat™ 3000S are designed to have non-corrosive properties in their final composition. This attribute makes Hycat™ Catalysts useful in coatings, electronic circuit boards and other systems that require low-corrosion properties.
Hycat™ 3000S acts similarly to Hycat™ 2000S except that it has additional cure-system modifiers that enhance its performance in a variety of epoxy-anhydride formulas. Hycat™ 3000S improves the solubility characteristics in difficult epoxy-anhydride formulas resulting in uniform cures.
Hycat™ OA shows similar performance (e.g., gel time vs. temperature) as Hycat™ 2000S and Hycat™ 3000S but was developed to meet certain European regulatory requirements; especially products that may come in contact with humans, e.g., toys, packaging, laminates, etc.
Hycat™ OA, Hycat™ 2000S and Hycat™ 3000S are all pre-registered and REACH compliant.
For more technical data please refer to our PDF data sheet. Our patent is also available for review. If you are interested in a free sample for your R&D team please fill out our request form. If you have any questions about anything you read or have other comments or questions please contact our General Manager or Research Director directly. As always the best way to keep up to date with DTCS Products, Services, and Technical publications is to subscribe to our newsletter.
