Epoxy Curing Agents and Modifiers

ANCAMINE® 2422 Curing Agent

DESCRIPTION TABLE 1: TYPICAL PROPERTIES

Ancamine 2422 curing agent is a highfunctionality aliphatic

Appearance Yellow Liquid
amine designed for use in two-package epoxy formulations. Color 1 (Gardner) 3
It is especially suitable for use with multifunctional epoxy Viscosity2 @ 77°F (25°C) (cP) 2,000
novolac resins. Ancamine 2422 curing agent yields Amine Value3 (mg KOH/g) 665
formulations with excellent chemical resistance. It also imparts Specific Gravity4 @ 77°F (25°C) 1.12
good working time when compared with alternative high- Flash Point5 (closed cup) (°F) >212
functionality curing agents. Ancamine 2422 systems are Equivalent Wt/{H} 49
suitable for cure at room temperature or elevated Recommended Use Level (phr, EEW=190)
temperatures. These properties make Ancamine 2422 curing
agent ideal for formulating chemically-resistant coatings,
linings and mortars. It can be also be used as a high TABLE 2: TYPICAL HANDLING PROPERTIES*
functionality accelerator.
See attached information (Table 1 and Table 2)

ADVANTAGES
TABLE 3: TYPICAL PERFORMANCE
• Excellent chemical resistance
• Good pot life See attached information
• Suitable for ambient cure or post cure in formulated systems

TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPLICATIONS
Page
• Chemically resistant coatings
Formulating Guidelines 2
• Tank linings Handling Properties of Starting Formulations 4-5
• Secondary containment linings Chemical Resistance 5-9
• Mortars
• High functionality accelerator
Footnotes:
1
ASTM D1544-80
SHELF LIFE 2
ASTM D445-83, Brookfield, RVTD, Spindle 4
At least 24 months from the date of manufacture in the
3
Perchloric Acid Titration
original sealed container at ambient temperature. Store away
4
ASTM D1475-85
from heat and excessive humidity in tightly closed containers.
5
Seta Flash Closed Cup

STORAGE AND HANDLING

Refer to the Safety Data Sheet for Ancamine 2422
curing agent.

©Evonik Corporation, 2017 | ANCAMINE 2422 CURING AGENT | June 2017 1/7
 SUPPLEMENTARY DATA greater through-cure for room temperature conversion. They
do not contribute to crosslinking, however, so their volume in
FORMULATING WITH ANCAMINE 2422 CURING
the polymer network should be minimized. Too high a level of
AGENT FOR CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
diluent will ultimately degrade the chemical resistance of the
Epoxies are known for their high chemical resistance relative
system.
to other polymer types. However, some in-service
performance demands exceed what even the best standard Figure 1 shows the viscosity reduction curve for a 3.6f epoxy
epoxy formulations can deliver. For example, very aggressive novolac resin blended with furfuryl alcohol as the diluent. At
solvents, such as methylene chloride, swell rapidly and 15 weight percent diluent, the resin becomes manageable
fracture the polymer network, while high concentrations of with a viscosity of 12,500 cP. Combinations of 3.6f and 2.2f
strong inorganic acids, such as nitric acid, attack and destroy resins will give even lower viscosities, but diluent will still be
the protective barrier chemically. Epoxies can be made more required for through-cure at room temperature.
resistant to these aggressive reagents by increasing the
crosslink sites per unit volume in the polymer network FIGURE 1: VISCOSITY REDUCTION OF 3.6F EPOXY
(crosslink density) or, more simply put, by increasing the NOVOLAC WITH FURFURYL ALCOHOL
functionality of the formulation on both the resin and curing
agent sides.

The resins used in this approach are typically epoxy novolacs

with average functionality (reactive sites per molecule) of 2.2f
to 3.6f. Higher functionality is available with solid epoxy
novolac resins, but these resins are difficult to formulate for
high-solids, ambient-cured systems.

When used with these resins, conventional curing agents with

high functionality give formulations with very short working
time, excessive exotherms and very low conversion or
through cure at gel. Ancamine 2422 curing agent is a high-
functionality (~ 6f ) curing agent designed to overcome these
drawbacks. When mixed with epoxy novolac resin, it offers
good working time and good conversion at room temperature.
In addition, the structure of this amine contributes significantly
to the formulation‘s chemical resistance. For ambient
temperature cure with epoxy novolac resins, Ancamine 2422
formulations must contain a plasticizer to get adequate
through-cure.
The low viscosity of Ancamine 2422 curing agent and the use
of diluent with the epoxy novolac resin eliminates the need for
SELECTION AND USE OF MULTIFUNCTIONAL RESIN
additional diluent/plasticizer.
While epoxy novolacs offer the multifunctionality needed for
high chemical resistance, their use is limited by their very high COMBINING ANCAMINE 2422 CURING AGENT
viscosity. The 3.6f epoxy novolac is a semisolid at room WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL RESINS
temperature with a melt viscosity above 20,000 cP at 125°F Two formulations (shown in Table 4) were prepared using
(52°C). Ancamine 2422 curing agent’s low viscosity aids in Ancamine 2422 curing agent with epoxy novolac resins.
lowering system viscosity, but a diluent/plasticizer may be Furfuryl alcohol was chosen as the diluent and mixed with the
required. Diluents lower the viscosity of these resins resins prior to adding Ancamine 2422 curing agent.
effectively but should be chosen carefully to avoid reducing
Reactivity was measured by gel time, thin film set time and
crosslink density and subsequent chemical resistance. For this
viscosity increase to determine working time. Table 4 shows
reason, monofunctional reactive diluents should be avoided
the high reactivity of these formulations, with room
and multifunctional reactive diluents with aliphatic backbones
temperature gel times of 15 to 16 minutes. The results of
should be used sparingly.
viscosity build over time in Figure 2 show reasonable working
Nonreactive diluents in multifunctional formulations are times considering the high functionality of these formulations.
effective as both viscosity reducers and plasticizers, promoting

©Evonik Corporation, 2017 | ANCAMINE 2422 CURING AGENT | June 2017 2/7
 TABLE 4: ANCAMINE 2422 AMBIENT REACTIVITY Estimates of the extent of cure can be determined by using a
AND CURE WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL RESINS differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). A small residual
exotherm is seen for both formulations in Table 4, indicating
FORMULATION 27-1 28-1 that, although well-cured at room temperature, some
RESIN SIDE (Parts by Weight) additional crosslinking can take place.
Epoxy Novolac, 3.6f* 51.0 85.0
POST CURE: Mild post-cures at slightly elevated
Epoxy Novolac, 2.2f** 34.0 -
temperatures were examined to determine the effect on
Furfuryl alcohol 15.0 15.0
crosslinking. Both formulations were allowed to gel at room
HARDENER SIDE (Parts by Weight)
Ancamine 2422 23.4 23.3
temperature for three days followed by a two-hour post-cure
Initial Reactivity
at either 135 °F (57°C) or 250°F (121°C). Results of the
Gel Time, min, 150g mass 16.1 15.2 analysis are given in Table 5. Analysis of the formulations
Peak Exotherm Temp, °F 399 405 exposed to the 135°F post-cure show lower residual
Thin Film Set Time, h exotherms and higher Tgs than formulations cured at ambient
@ 77 °F (25°C) 1.3 1.0 temperature; both indications of a more tightly crosslinked
@ 40 °F (4°C) 6.0 5.3 polymer network. Analysis of the formulations exposed to the
DSC Reactivity, Initial 250°F post-cure show a similar result with no residual
Peak Exotherm @ °F 208 207 exotherm and even higher crosslink density. Optimal diluent
∆ H, J/g 401 415 level will be a balance between handling capabilities and
7 Day Cure @ 77°F (25°C) chemical resistance requirements in the finished formulation.
Residual Exotherm, J/g 37 74
TABLE 5: ANCAMINE 2422 POST CURE WITH
Tg, ºF 131 133
MULTIFUNCTIONAL RESINS

FORMULATION 27-1 28-1

* 3.6f resin: Dow Chemical, D.E.N.® 438 or Shell EPON HPT® Resin 155
**2.2f to 2.5f resin: Dow Chemical, D.E.N. 431 or Shell EPON® Resin 160 DSC Reactivity, Initial
Peak Exotherm @ °F 208 207
∆ H, J/g 401 415
FIGURE 2: VISCOSITY VS. TIME FOR ANCAMINE
2422/EPOXY NOVOLAC FORMULATIONS Post Cure, 2 hr @ 135°F (57°C)
Residual Exotherm, J/g 33 46
Tg, ºF 156 160
Post Cure, 2 hr @ 250°F (121°C)
Residual Exotherm, J/g 0 0
Tg, ºF 207 228

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE: Chemical resistance tests

following ASTM D 543 were performed on 1/8-inch castings
using each of the three cure schedules:
1) 7 days at 77°F (25°C),
2) 3 days at 77°F (25°C) plus 2 hours at 135°F (57°C), and
3) 3 days at 77°F (25°C) plus 2 hours at 250°F (121°C).

1” X 3” coupons from these castings were immersed in four

very aggressive reagents: methylene chloride, 30% nitric acid,
10% acetic acid and 10% phenol. Weight gain was monitored
over time to determine chemical resistance (see Table 6).
Figures 3 through 6 show the impact of the cure schedule on
chemical resistance for the two most aggressive reagents,
methylene chloride and nitric acid.

Note: Formulation viscosity versus time was monitored for the two
formulations using a Rheometrics mechanical spectrometer with parallel
plate geometry.

©Evonik Corporation, 2017 | ANCAMINE 2422 CURING AGENT | June 2017 3/7
 TABLE 6: ANCAMINE 2422 CHEMICAL RESISTANCE WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL RESINS % WEIGHT GAIN

Formulation 27-1 28-1

7-day @ Gel + 2 hr @ Gel + 2 hr @ 7-day @ Gel + 2 hr @ G Gel + 2 hr @
Cure
77°F (25°C) 135°F (57°C) 250°F (121°C) 77°F (25°C) 135°F (57°C) 250°F (121°C)
Chemical Resistance
Methylene Chloride
1 Day 16.2 6.97 0.95 14.31 6.38 0.97
3 Day D* 15.17 6.91 31.87 15.68 3.38
7 Day D 33.41 14.45 31.64 30.31 7.01
14 Day D 30.30 25.50 31.98 29.81 12.16
21 Day D 29.57 28.41 29.30 28.06 15.74
28 Day D 28.97 27.57 26.57 26.01 19.78
10% Acetic Acid
1 Day 0.89 0.32 0.22 1.14 0.42 0.18
3 Day 1.67 0.67 0.43 2.00 0.83 0.36
7 Day 2.33 1.02 0.65 2.91 1.34 0.60
14 Day 3.31 1.61 1.03 3.84 1.87 0.88
21 Day 3.88 1.99 1.29 4.72 2.33 1.11
28 Day 4.40 2.36 1.53 4.93 2.83 1.35
30% Nitric Acid
1 Day 0.49 0.46 0.26 0.45 0.45 0.33
3 Day 0.77 0.69 0.65 0.71 0.70 0.61
7 Day 1.17 1.02 0.95 1.12 1.14 0.96
14 Day 1.76 1.48 1.36 1.64 1.55 1.34
21 Day 2.28 1.91 1.73 2.22 1.90 1.63
28 Day 2.75 2.31 2.10 2.40 2.45 2.11
10% Phenol
1 Day 0.58 0.25 0.23 0.50 0.30 0.16
3 Day 1.08 0.50 0.38 0.87 0.58 0.31
7 Day 1.76 0.82 0.63 1.41 1.01 0.53
14 Day 2.62 1.32 0.96 2.14 1.59 0.82
21 Day 3.29 1.70 1.22 2.88 2.23 1.14
28 Day 4.01 2.14 1.50 3.16 2.48 1.24

* D indicates sample destroyed by the test.

©Evonik Corporation, 2017 | ANCAMINE 2422 CURING AGENT | June 2017 4/7
 Figure 3 shows methylene chloride resistance for formulation Figures 5 and 6 show 30% nitric acid resistance for
27-1. After 3 days of exposure, the room temperature cured formulations 27-1 and 28-1 respectively. Post-cures enhance
coupons are destroyed. The 135°F (57°C) post-cured the resistance to attack within each formulation, but the
coupons show evidence ofcracking at 7 days, but remain tighter network of formulation 28-1 shows only a slight
intact for the 28-day test. The 250°F (121°C) post-cured improvement over formulation 27-1. Both formulations show
coupons show no evidence of cracking for the duration of the outstanding resistance to this high concentration of nitric acid.
test, even though there is significant weight gain. Similar results are seen with exposure to 10% acetic acid and
FIGURE 3: METHYLENE CHLORIDE RESISTANCE 10% phenol.
OF ANCAMINE 2422/EPOXY NOVOLAC FIGURE 5: 30% NITRIC ACID RESISTANCE
FORMULATION 27-1 OF ANCAMINE 2422/EPOXY NOVOLAC
FORMULATION 27-1

Figure 4 shows methylene chloride resistance for the more

tightly crosslinked formulation, 28-1. The room temperature FIGURE 6: 30% NITRIC ACID RESISTANCE
cured coupons show only a very slight fracture at the end of OF ANCAMINE 2422/EPOXY NOVOLAC
the 28-day test. The 135°F (57°C) post-cured coupons and FORMULATION 28-1
the 250°F (121°C) coupons show no evidence of cracking
and remain intact for the entire test time. This formulation
shows excellent resistance to methylene chloride and
exceptional resilience during the solvent swell.
FIGURE 4: METHYLENE CHLORIDE RESISTANCE
OF ANCAMINE 2422/EPOXY NOVOLAC
FORMULATION 28-1

©Evonik Corporation, 2017 | ANCAMINE 2422 CURING AGENT | June 2017 5/7
 Table 7 shows additional chemical resistance for formulation 28-1 cured under ambient conditions.
Theresults further highlight the outstanding resistance offered to a wide range of aggressive reagents.

TABLE 7: ANCAMINE 2422 CHEMICAL RESISTANCE WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL RESINS % WEIGHT GAIN

Formulation 28-1
Cure 7-day @77 °F (25°C) Cure 7-day @77 °F (25°C)
Chemical Resistance
Glacial Acetic Acid 98% Sulfuric Acid
1 Day 2.39 1 Day 0.23
3 Day 4.08 3 Day 0.47
7 Day 6.40 7 Day 0.77
14 Day 9.59 14 Day 1.17
21 Day 11.96 21 Day 1.39
28 Day 13.36 28 Day 1.57
Methanol 10% Lactic Acid
1 Day 1.90 1 Day 0.59
3 Day 3.14 3 Day 1.11
7 Day 4.74 7 Day 1.83
14 Day 6.78 14 Day 2.63
21 Day 8.15 21 Day 3.18
28 Day 8.02 28 Day 3.51
Toluene Butyl Cellosolve
1 Day 0.05 1 Day -0.08
3 Day 0.10 3 Day -0.03
7 Day 0.16 7 Day -0.10
14 Day 0.26 14 Day -0.12
21 Day 0.37 21 Day -0.13
28 Day 0.46 28 Day -0.10
MEK
1 Day -0.03
3 Day 0.04
7 Day 0.28
14 Day 0.80
21 Day 1.29
28 Day 1.65

©Evonik Corporation, 2017 | ANCAMINE 2422 CURING AGENT | June 2017 6/7
 Epoxy Curing Agents and Modifiers

ANCAMINE® 2422 Curing Agent

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©Evonik Corporation, 2017 | ANCAMINE 2422 CURING AGENT | June 2017 7/7 125-9810-12