Dixie Chemical ECA 100

ECA 100 is a light colored, low viscosity liquid epoxy curing agent designed for use in converting epoxy resins to highly crosslinked polymers with excellent physical and electrical properties. ECA 100 performs well when used in demanding applications, such as filament winding, pultrusion, and other forms of lamination, as well as electrical encapsulating, insulating, casting, and potting. ECA 100 imparts ease of handling due to low viscosity, low toxicity and low volatility. It is a mixture, which is a liquid at normal room temperature. If the product crystallizes, it should return to liquid by heating 38-55°C (100- 130°F) for 2-8 hours.

Functions: Curing Agent

Chemical Family: Anhydrides

Compatible Polymers & Resins: Epoxies (EP)

Labeling Claims: Low VOC

Features: Low Toxicity, Low VOC, Low Viscosity

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Identification & Functionality

Chemical Family
CASE Ingredients Functions
Technologies

Features & Benefits

Labeling Claims
CASE Ingredients Features

Applications & Uses

Compatible Polymers & Resins
Applications

ECA 100 is a light colored, low viscosity liquid epoxy curing agent designed for use in converting epoxy resins to highly crosslinked polymers with excellent physical and electrical properties. ECA 100 performs well when used in demanding applications, such as filament winding, pultrusion, and other forms of lamination, as well as electrical encapsulating, insulating, casting, and potting.

ECA 100 imparts ease of handling due to low viscosity, low toxicity and low volatility. It is a mixture, which is a liquid at normal room temperature. If the product crystallizes, it should return to liquid by heating 38-55°C (100- 130°F) for 2-8 hours.

Properties

Physical Form
Appearance
clear to Yellow Liquid
Typical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Specific Gravity1.190 - 1.220g/ccD-102 (ASTM D 4052)
Viscosity50 - 80cPD-150F
Volatilesmax. 100ppmD-160A
Total Anhydridemin. 98%D-160
Free Acidmax. 2%D-160B-2
Molecular Weight (Average) 162 - 166
Electrical Performance Example

When a formulated with 100 parts BPA liquid epoxy resin, 78-82 parts ECA 100, and 1 part accelerator and then cured for 1 hour at 95°C, and 3 hours at 150°C, the following properties are found:

Properties Value
Dielectric Strength, volts per mil 480
Dielectric Constant, 120°C, 1 MHz 3.49
Power Factor, 120°C, 1 MHz 0.017
Volume Resistance, 25 oC, megohms-cms 3.9 x 1010
Arc Resistance, seconds 70

Technical Details & Test Data

Formulation Example

ECA 100 was formulated with a variety of epoxy resins. Viscosity was measured at 25°C, and gel time was measured at 100°C. Samples were cured for 1 hour at 120°C, followed by a post-cure of 1 hour at 220°C, and glass transition temperatures were measured using a differential scanning calorimeter. The following table summarizes these results:

Epoxy type ECA 100, phr Viscosity at 25°C, cP Gel Time min Tg, (°C)
Standard BPA Liquid Epoxy 85 965 41 140
Low Viscosity BPA Liquid 88 710 37 143
Cycloaliphatic Epoxy 117 144 42 221
Epoxy Phenol Novolac 93 990 36 143
Epoxy BPA Novolac 84 2830 34 153
BPF Liquid Epoxy 95 500 42 128

Safety & Health

Health Hazards

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 SDS. 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 SDS 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

ECA 100 will react with water to form diacids. This is normally undesirable, so ECA 100 should be stored in such a way that it is carefully protected from moisture contamination. For more details on the design of bulk storage for ECA 100, consult the Dixie Chemical Company brochure “Epoxy Curing Agent Storage Requirements.”