p-Aminocyclohexyl-methane (known as PACM) is a cycloaliphatic amine used in the formulation of high-performance epoxy curing agents. It is a low-viscosity transparent amine widely used in curing agent formulations for different epoxy applications:
- Flooring
- Protective coating
- Civil Engineering
- Composites
PACM-based curing agents offer some advantages when compared to IPD and MXDA-based products:
- EXCELLENT COLOUR STABILITY
PACM features excellent transparency and colour stability. This property allows to formulacure agents with high yellowing resistance when exposed to weathering. - IMPROVED POT-LIFE/REACTIVITY BALANCE
Compared to other cycloaliphatic amines, PACM-based epoxy curing agents normally feature a longer pot-life and reduced heat development. However, these features do not negatively impact the hardness development at the dry time measurements. - CHEMICAL RESISTANCE TO ORGANIC ACIDS AND SOLVENTS
PACM-based curing agents exhibit good chemical resistance to organic compounds, maintaining excellent chemical resistance to acids and solvents. - REDUCED AMINE BLUSHING
Thanks to its chemical structure, PACM features a low tendency to undergo amine blushing in the reaction with carbonic acid. This results in a better surface appearance, gloss retention, reduced carbonatation and improved water spotting resistance.
DDCHEM PACM-BASED EPOXY CURING AGENTS
ddchem has developed PACM-based epoxy curing agents to offer high-quality products. The following grades are available in the ddchem portfolio:
| ITAMINE CA101 | ITAMINE CA102 | ITAMID FL103 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMINE NUMBER mgKOH/g |
235 – 275 | 300 – 350 | 320 – 350 |
| VISCOSITY 25°C mPas |
350 – 700 | 100 – 400 | 3000 – 4000 |
| GARDNER COLOUR | Gardner Max 13 | Max 12 | Max 10 |
| REACTIVE SUBSTANCE % |
100 | 100 | 100 |
| AHEW g |
110 | 95 | 114 |
| GEL TIME 150g 20°C – min |
73 | 68 | 68 |
ITAMINE CA101
ITAMINE CA101 is a formulated cycloaliphatic polyamine.
Main application: chemically resistant tank lining and mortars.
Other applications: high-solid coatings, industrial flooring.
Hardness Development Test
It is based on ISO 868 and evaluates the Shore D hardness at different time points at certain curing conditions.
Water Spotting Test
The water spotting method (ISO-2812 cured with ITAPOX 127) is performed by adding drops of water at different curing stages on the surface. After 24 and 48 hours in contact with the water drops the surface is evaluated. The test measures the water-resistance of an epoxy layer during the curing.
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg)
Tg measure based on ISO 11357. The test was carried out using ITAPOX 50 at the following curing conditions: 2h 80°C + 3h 180°C.
ITAMINE CA102
ITAMINE CA102 is a formulated cycloaliphatic polyamine.
Main application: primer for epoxy flooring.
Other applications: Epoxy screeds, epoxy grouts, chemically resistant tank lining.
Hardness Development Test
It is based on ISO 868 and evaluates the Shore D hardness at different time points at certain curing conditions.
Adhesion Test On Concrete: Pull-Off Test
The pull-off test (based on the ASTM D7234) evaluates the adhesion of the epoxy primer to a concrete slab.
CONCRETE TILE: the concrete tile was immersed in water for 24h before the test. After the application of the epoxy primer, it was kept half immersed in water during the primer curing.
CURING AGENT: ITAMINE CA102
EPOXY RESIN: ITAPOX 127
CURING CONDITION: 7 days at 13°C-80%RH
RESULTS: the adhesion resulted in a value > 4 MPa with no failure of either the tile or the epoxy primer.
Dry Time Test
The dry time test investigates the reactivity of a thin epoxy layer (0–500μm) by measuring different hardness stages like the gel formation, the tack-free time and the hard film formation.
ITAMID FL103
ITAMID FL103 is a formulated polyamidoamine.
Main application: High-solids protective coating, under-water applications.
Other applications: primer for epoxy flooring in severe conditions.
Hardness Development Test
It is based on ISO 868 and evaluates the Shore D hardness at different time points at certain curing conditions.
The water spotting method (ISO-2812 cured with ITAPOX 127) is performed by adding drops of water at different curing stages on the surface. After 24 and 48 hours in contact with the water drops the surface is evaluated. The test measures the water-resistance of an epoxy layer during the curing.
CURING AGENT: ITAMINE FL103
EPOXY RESIN: ITAPOX 127
CURING CONDITION: 13°C
Dry Time Test
The dry time test investigates the reactivity of a thin epoxy layer (0–500μm) by measuring different hardness stages like the gel formation, the tack-free time and the hard film formation.
From the data collected can state from our tests that the PACM-based products ITAMINE CA101, ITAMINE CA102 and ITAMID FL103 exhibit excellent performance in epoxy flooring applications, epoxy grouts and screeds, tank lining and underwater applications.
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