Polyetheramine Hardener Selection From D-230 to T-5000
Amine hydrogen equivalent weight and molecular weight explain almost everything about how a polyetheramine will behave in your system.
Why Formulators Move to Polyetheramines
A polyether backbone with terminal amine groups gives low viscosity, long pot life and a very low tendency to blush. For a flooring contractor working a large area in humid weather, the absence of surface fogging is worth more than a faster cure.
Reading the Series Numbers
The D series are diamines: D-230 at 60 g/eq amine hydrogen equivalent and 9.5 cPs viscosity is the low viscosity workhorse. D-400 adds elasticity. D-2000 at 514 g/eq and 248 cPs is a high molecular weight grade used in polyurea and RIM systems and as a co curing agent for epoxy.
Triamines for Crosslink Density
T-403 at 81 g/eq and 72 cPs raises functionality and improves flexibility. T-5000 at 952 g/eq is used as a polyurea crosslinker and as an auxiliary epoxy hardener where high adhesion and flexibility are both required.
The ED and M Series
ED grades from ED-410 to ED-2003 carry polyethylene glycol segments that add hydrophilicity, used for waterborne epoxy systems and biocompatible coatings. M series monoamines such as M-600 and M-2070 are used as chain extenders, emulsifiers and dispersants rather than as primary hardeners.
Fast Cure Where It Is Needed
EDR-148 at 37 g/eq and 8 cPs cures at room temperature and accelerates sharply with heat, giving soft but tough cured products with excellent impact resistance.
Typical Systems
Epoxy floor coatings including self levelling, mid coat and topcoat layers; heavy duty anticorrosion protection; structural adhesives and electronic potting; carbon fibre and glass fibre composites; polyurea spray elastomers and waterproofing.
Products Covered in This Guide
Low viscosity amine hardeners that toughen epoxy without blushing
View Specifications
Bisphenol A bisphenol F o-cresol and phenolic modified grades in one table
View Specifications
Latent catalysts for one component epoxy with 26 grades by activation temperature
View SpecificationsRelated Reading
Aromatic isocyanates are faster and cheaper. Aliphatic isocyanates keep their colour. This guide sets out which property actually decides the choice.
Read The Guide
Both are aliphatic HDI derivatives and both give light stable coatings. Their crosslink density, viscosity and flexibility are not the same.
Read The GuideEEW, colour, viscosity and softening point are the four numbers that decide whether a resin grade fits your process.
Read The GuideQuestions About This Guide
Where do the figures in this guide come from?
From the manufacturer grade tables published on our own product pages. Every number quoted here appears on a product page on this site.
Can you help me apply this to my formulation?
Yes. Send us your performance target, processing conditions and the grade you currently use, and we will come back with a recommendation within 24 hours.
Can I get samples of the grades discussed here?
Yes. Samples are free of charge with shipping at your cost, and take about 7 days.
What if my requirement sits between two grades?
That happens often. Ask for both samples and decide on your own line, because pot life and cure behaviour depend on your catalyst, temperature and humidity rather than on a datasheet.
Apply This to Your Own Formulation
Send the constraint and we will name the grade. Samples in about 7 days.