Friday, November 28, 2014

Why are Curing Agents used for Various Purposes in Different Industries?

Curing agents are used in different industries such as; flooring, marine, concrete, civil engineering, electronic potting, building materials etc. It is used as an adhesive or coating to harden a wide range of materials by cross-linking. Prominently, these agents are used for coating, laminating, casting, tooling, and potting.

These agents are also used in electronic components, because of their low viscosity.

They create a cross linking structure by joining the material and hardening it. This improves the strength of the material. When the chemicals are used to cure a resin structure, it will react directly with the resin in the product, and make it tougher than before.
In some cases, this process of strengthening needs heat in order to provide a better cure.

In the fields of civil engineering, these chemicals are used for various applications including; coating, potting, etc. For different applications, different kind of hardening catalysts is used. While some of them are very reactive, others have low viscosity. Some of these agents are used at specific levels of heat.

Main Features of Curing Agents

Some curing agents are used for their ability to resist salt water

The Ability to handle low temperature

It performs well even in humid conditions (which is why they are used for repairing cracks in concrete, repairing mortars and floor coatings etc.)

While they have an important application in a wide range of industries, in the flooring industry, they have a special place. They improve the longevity of the floor by hardening the material used. These agents are used for curing, in order to get a better performance from the products. Different types of hardening catalysts are available in the market. Before using these products, it is necessary to read all instructions carefully. Mixing these curing agents in the right ratio is also necessary, to get the desired results.

Choose the right chemical according to your usage, and by considering the industry standards.

Make sure to use the recommended product, because using an inappropriate agent will not provide you with good results.

To strengthen or to bind two objects properly, the right product must be used.

Monday, November 10, 2014

A quick glance at the properties of Phenalkamine

Curing agents are an essential part in the manufacturing and construction industry. Their diversified features are the primary reason behind their increased use.

  • In this post, I will share some interesting facts about the most popular curing agent, Phenalkamine.
  • It first came to existence in the mid 1970s by the Cardolite Corporation Company.It is synthesized from CNSL (Cashew Nutshell Liquid), which is derived from the shell of cashews, like; (Cashew Tree, Anacardium Occidentale L).
  • It provides good workable pot life to a substance, because of its feature, which provides very fast cure, even at low temperatures.
  • It has an excellent property of resistance to moisture, good chemical resistance, and flexibility.
  • Because of its unique properties Phenalkamine is used for; solvent-free industrial floor coatings, railcars, agricultural and construction equipment coatings, marine and offshore coatings, portable water coatings, and tank and pipe linings.
  • Phenalkamine is also used for adhesive, automobile, and electrical potting applications.
  • It is also used in manufacturing and construction industry. Its adhesion quality makes it useful in water as well. This is why it is used in marine applications, civil engineering, and industrial maintenance projects.
  • The formation of this curing agent is done by using various products and additives. It offers a blend of both aliphatic aminesa properties and Polyamides characteristics.

Benefits of Phenalkamines

Considering the diverse range of properties of this curing agent, there are many benefits of this chemical, of which the major ones are-

  • Corrosion resistance
  • VOC solvent free
  • Water resistance
  • Low migration levels
  • Faster recoating feature that helps in providing a rapid cure with no induction time, thus eventually reducing costly downtime of this agent.
  • It can be used in all seasons.
  • Fast cure at low temperatures (~40°F) is provided without affecting the pot life of the component.
  • Its good surface tolerance feature makes it robust i.e. it can be used on rusty, cold, wet, or damp surfaces easily.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

What are solvent dyes? What are their uses and benefits?

A dye can be defined as a colored chemical material that produces color when applied to a substrate. These chemical substances can be natural or synthetic. These are used to give vibrant colors to products.

In order to color items such as ball pen inks, printing inks, plastics, organic solvents, fuels, and lubricants, a solvent dye is used in different ways and forms.

This dye is soluble in organic solvents and mostly used as a solution in a natural solvent. The role of solvent dyes is considered vital in enhancing certain colors because of their ability of getting dissolved in natural solvents.

These dyes have multiple uses, but their most popular application is in the plastic industry. Approximately 7 basic shades are available in these colorings and you can find a large variety of dyes with similar colors. These colorings are mainly of two types; basic and metal complex dyes.

Benefits of solvent dyes-

They don’t change their color effects, when exposed to the sunlight. 

Event at higher temperatures, they maintain a good thermal solidity by resisting oxidization.

You can store them for a longer period of time.

They play a valuable role when it comes to consistent, unique and lively color shadings.

When looking for a manufacturer of this dye, it is necessary to look for a reputable name in the industry. Make sure that the dyes you purchase are of high quality.

Before you place an order, it is necessary to check the reputation of the manufacturer.

Price is another vital factor to compare before making the final call. It will be the sole responsibility of the buyer to test the suitability of the products. You can also seek help from these manufacturers, if you have any specific queries.