Dixie Chemical DDSA

Dixie dodecenylsuccinic anhydride (DDSA) is a slightly viscous liquid anhydride. DDSA can be used as an epoxy curing agent for electrical potting compounds, coatings, conductive adhesives, and syntactic foams and also as an intermediate in the preparation of corrosion inhibitors for oils and greases. It cane be used as a leather tanning agent. When used as an epoxy-curing agent, it has a long pot life at room temperature and gives excellent electrical properties and flexibility to castings. DDSA can be used in blends with other anhydrides to modify physical properties of the mixture and to lend flexibility and reduce brittleness of cured polymers.

Functions: Curing Agent

Chemical Family: Anhydrides

Labeling Claims: Low VOC

Compatible Polymers & Resins: Epoxies (EP)

Features: Improved Flexibility, Low Toxicity, Low VOC, Low Viscosity

Knowde Enhanced TDS

Identification & Functionality

Chemical Family
CASE Ingredients Functions

Features & Benefits

Labeling Claims

Applications & Uses

Applicable Processes
Compatible Polymers & Resins
Adhesive & Sealant Type
Applications

Dixie dodecenylsuccinic anhydride (DDSA) is a slightly viscous liquid anhydride. DDSA can be used as

  • An epoxy curing agent for electrical potting compounds, coatings, conductive adhesives, and syntactic foams
  • An intermediate in the preparation of corrosion inhibitors for oils and greases
  • As a leather tanning agent.

When used as an epoxy-curing agent, it has a long pot life at room temperature and gives excellent electrical properties and flexibility to castings. DDSA can be used in blends with other anhydrides to modify physical properties of the mixture and to lend flexibility and reduce brittleness of cured polymers.

Modifying Other Anhydrides

As a liquid, DDSA is useful in modifying other anhydrides to lower their freezing points and make them easier to handle. The following plot shows how DDSA lowers the freezing point of five other anhydrides.

Dixie Chemical DDSA - Modifying Other Anhydrides

Anhydride Level

Most applications use between 80-150 phr DDSA with bisphenol A liquid epoxy resins. Most high performance applications where high levels of heat or chemical resistance, or high strength is required utilize about 140 phr.

Example

Formulations with 100 parts EPON Resin 828 (Momentive), DDSA, and 1.5 part BDMA were prepared. The level of DDSA was varied from 84-140 phr. Samples were cured for 30 minutes at 100°C, the temperature was increased to 160°C in ten minutes, and then post-cured for 30 minutes. The following plot summarizes the glass transition temperatures (Tg) for these formulations:

Dixie Chemical DDSA - Anhydride Level

The same experiments were conducted with a 20:80 blend of DDSA and hexahydrophthalic anhydride. The following table summarizes the Tg data for these tests.

Anhydride blend (phr) Tg (°C)
84 79
90 71
95 71
100 71
110 77
125 71
135 85
145 81

Properties

Physical Form
Appearance
Light Yellow Liquid
Typical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Specific Gravity1.002g/ccD-102 (ASTM D 4052)
Vapor Pressuremax. 1mm Hg
Boiling Point173-190° CASTM D86
Flash Point157° CASTM D93
Molecular Weight266
Electrical Properties

A formulation with 100 parts EPON Resin 828 (Momentive), 138 parts DDSA, and 1.46 part BDMA was prepared. Samples were cured for 4 hours at 80°C, and post-cured for 24hours at 100°C. The following table summarizes electrical, mechanical, and heat stability data for this formulation.

Dielectric Constant
at 60 Hz
at 1 MHz
2.85
2.79
Power Factor
at 60 Hz
at 1 MHz
0.0039
0.0084
HDT (°C) 77
Izod Impact (ft lb/in. notch) 0.22
Flexural Strength (ksi) 13.2
Flexural Modulus (ksi) 350
% Wt. loss 24 hr at 200°C 0.35

Technical Details & Test Data

Specific Gravity as a Function of Temperature

Dixie Chemical DDSA - Specific Gravity As A Function of Temperature

Viscosity as a Function of Temperature

Dixie Chemical DDSA - Viscosity As A Function of Temperature

Cure Catalysts

The effect of benzyldimethylamine (BDMA) catalyst on mix stability was studied using the following formulations:

System Catalyzed Uncatalyzed Uncatalyzed
EPON Resin 828 (Momentive) 100 100 100
DDSA 133 77 100
Benzyldimethylamine (BDMA) 1 0 0

Epoxy homopolymerization discussed above is a significant side reaction for uncatalyzed systems, so anhydride demand is less.

Viscosity as a function of time is summarized in the following plot:

Dixie Chemical DDSA - Cure Catalysts

 

Cure Cycle

A formulation with 100 parts EPON Resin 828 (Momentive), 134 parts DDSA, and 1 part BDMA was prepared. Samples were cured for 4 hours at 90°C, and post-cured for 4, 24, and 200 hours at 150°C. The following plots show the effect of post-cure on heat distortion temperature (HDT), and weight increases after 24 hours in boiling water and 3 hours in boiling acetone.

 

Dixie Chemical DDSA - Cure Cycle

Dixie Chemical DDSA - Cure Cycle - 1

Dixie Chemical DDSA - Cure Cycle - 2

Tensile testing was performed at -25°C, and at room temperature. The following plots summarize results for tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break.

Dixie Chemical DDSA - Cure Cycle - 3

Dixie Chemical DDSA - Cure Cycle - 4

Dixie Chemical DDSA - Cure Cycle - 5

Safety & Health

Safety Precautions

Read and understand the relevant Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all products before use. These anhydrides are primary skin and eye irritants. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Use only with adequate ventilation. In case of contact, follow the procedures outlined in the MSDS. Generally, these procedures include immediately flushing the affected skin or eyes with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. In the case of eye contact, get medical attention. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

Follow the recommendations in the MSDS for personal protective equipment when handling these materials. At a minimum, these procedures typically include protective chemical goggles, impenetrable gloves, and measures to avoid breathing chemical vapors.

Storage & Handling

Storage

DDSA will react with water to form dodecenylsuccinic acid. This is normally undesirable, so DDSA should be stored in such a way that it is carefully protected from moisture contamination.