Epoxy Resin Curing Agents: Key Drivers of Material Innovation
Epoxy resins serve as the backbone for adhesives, coatings, and composite materials, finding extensive applications in construction, machinery, electronics, and aerospace. A complete epoxy resin composition typically consists of four components (Figure 1), though not all are required in practical use. However, the curing agent is indispensable, underscoring its critical role in epoxy systems.
Figure 1 illustrates the components and functions of epoxy resin compositions. The versatility of epoxy resins stems from the flexible combination of these components, with curing agents playing a decisive role in determining processing properties and final performance once the epoxy resin is selected.
1. Classification of Epoxy Curing Agents
1.1 Classification by Acid-Base Properties
Table 1: Classification by Acid-Base Properties
1.2 Classification by Reactivity and Chemical Structure
Figure 2: Classification by Reactivity and Chemical Structure
1.3 Classification by Curing Temperature
Figure 3: Curing Temperature Classification
1.4 Classification by Application
Figure 4: Application-Based Classification
2. Structure and Properties of Curing Agents
Understanding the characteristics of polyamine curing agents with identical functional groups but different chemical structures is crucial for selection. Key properties such as color, reactivity, and pot life follow specific patterns, as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5: Chemical Structure and Properties of Polyamine Curing Agents
3. Development Trends of Curing Agents
As a core component unlocking epoxy resin value, curing agents determine the properties of cured products. Current research focuses on addressing key challenges:
- Developing high-activity, heat-resistant curing agents through modified polyetheramines, aliphatic amines, or hybrid formulations
- Balancing toughness and strength to overcome brittleness in traditional epoxy systems
- Improving curing environments by reducing volatility and toxicity of amine curing agents
- Enhancing adaptability to special environments (humidity, low temperatures, underwater applications)
- Optimizing compatibility with diverse curing technologies (thermal, microwave, UV curing)
- Advancing latent curing agents (dicyandiamide derivatives, organic acid hydrazides, boron-amine complexes)
4. Applications of Epoxy Adhesives
Epoxy adhesives are widely used across industries due to their high insulation, structural strength, and sealing properties. Key applications include:
4.1 Civil Engineering & Construction
Concrete repair, structural reinforcement, floor bonding, and underwater construction with low viscosity and moisture-curing capabilities
4.2 Electronics & Electrical Engineering
Insulation encapsulation for electronic components, circuit boards, and semiconductor packaging with excellent dielectric properties
4.3 Aerospace & Automotive
High-performance bonding for composite materials, metal structures, and electronic systems requiring heat and impact resistance
4.4 Sports & Consumer Goods
Durable bonding for sports equipment (skis, golf clubs) and household electronics with non-yellowing properties
| ACF Chemical Co., Ltd. Athena phone/whatsapp：008613805212761 email：ceo@acfchemical.com No. 45 Pengwan Road, Qianwan Bonded Port Area, Qingdao Area, China (Shandong) welcome to vist our factory. sample is free ACF Chemical Qingdao Co., Ltd. was established in 1987. the company has over decades of experience in the production of methacrylate and acrylate series products, as well as high-efficiency polymerization inhibitors and rubber and plastic antioxidant series products. The company’s leading products are high-efficiency polymerization inhibitor series products, with an annual production capacity of 1,000 tons of tert-butylhydroquinone (TBC), 800 tons of polymerization inhibitor TH-701, 500 tons of polymerization inhibitor TH-A294, 500 tons of polymerization inhibitor TH-100BE, 500 tons of phenothiazine, and 200 tons of hydroquinone. | |
| Product | CAS: |
| Poly(VinylEthylEther | 25104-37-4 |
| 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate | 27247-96-7 |
| Tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate TDI | 584-84-9 |
| Methyltetrahydrophthalic andhydride(MTHPA) | 11070-44-3 |
| Methylhexahydrophthalic andhydride(MHHPA) | 25550-51-0 |
| 4-MHHPA Hexahydro-4-methylphthalic anhydride | 19438-60-9 |
| Methyl Nadic Anhydride(MNA) | 25134-21-8 |
| 3,4,5,6-THPA 3,4,5,6-Tetrahydrophthalic anhydride | 2426-02-0 |
| Toluenesulfonamide(0/PTSA) | 1333-07-9 |
| LABSA (Linear-Alkylbenzenesulfonic Acid) | 27176-87-0 |
| MMT Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl | 12108-13-3 |
| C12/18 TERTIARY AMINE(MB) | 68391-04-8 |
| Alkyl (C12-C14) Glycidyl Ether (AGE) | 68609-97-2 |
| NMA(N-methylaniline) | 100-61-8 |
| N-ethylaniline | 103-69-5 |
| C12-14-alkyldimethylamines | 84649-84-3 |
| Aniline | 62-53-3 |
| TETA ( Triethylene Tetraamine ) | 112-24-3 |
| 2EH(2-Ethylhexylamine) | 104-75-6 |
| Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) | 68585-34-2 |
| Titanium dioxide powder coating, paint grade. | |
| 1-Propene, 2-methyl-, homopolymer, hydroformylation products , reaction products with ammonia | 337367-30-3 |
| PEG-40 Castor Oil (Castor oil 40 EO, Castor oil ethoxylated 40 EO) | 61791-12-6 |
| Hydrogenated PEG-40 Castor Oil (Hydrogenated castor oil 40 EO, hydrogenated castor oil ethoxylate 40 EO) – CAS 61788-85-0 | 61788-85-0 |
| Ethoxylated cocoamine EO 2 (PEG-2 cocoamine) – CAS 61791-14-8 | 61791-14-8 |
| Hydrogenated Tallow Amine ethoxylate EO 8 (PEG-8 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine) – CAS: 61791-26-2 | 61791-26-2 |
| Phenyl Glycidyl Ether | 122-60-1 |
| Neopentane Glycol Diglycidyl Ether | 17557-23-2 |
| Benzyl Glycidyl Ether | 89616-40-0 |
| Diethylene Glycol Diglycidyl Ether | 39443-66-8 |
| Butyl glycidyl ether | 2426-08-6. |
| HydrogenatedTallowAmine | 61788-45-2 |
| Dodecyltrimethylammoniumbromide | 1119-94-4 |
| Didodecyldimethylammoniumbromide | 3282-73-3 |
| Dioctyldimethylammoniumbromide | 3026-69-5 |
| Sodium Dimethyl Dithiocarbamate (SDD) | 128-04-1 |
| Potassium Dimethyl Dithiocarbamate (KDD) | 128-03-0 |
| Boron Trifluoride Etherate | 109-63-7 |
| 3-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane | 2530-83-8 |
| *MTHP – Methyl Tetra Hydro Pyran | 4717-96-8 |
| 2-(2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol | 111-77-3 |
| HYDROQUINONE MONOMETHYL ETHER | 150-76-5 |
| MONO ISOPROPYLAMINE | 75-31-0 |
| Isopropyl Acetate (IPAC) | 108-21-4 |
| Antioxidant 24 | ANGCHEN Co., Ltd. Rm B-1803,818 North Xingyuan Road,WuXi,China P.C.: 214005 TEL : +86-510-83751665 +86-510-82327577 FAX : +86-510-82328286 E-mail : sales@angchenchem.com URL : www.angchenchem.com |
| PROPYLENE GLYCOL MONOMETHYL ETHER ACETATE （PMA) | 108-65-6 |
| PROPYLENE GLYCOL MONOMETHYL ETHER (PM) | 107-98-2 |
| DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL DIMETHYL ETHER (DPDM) | 111109-77-4 |
| DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL MONOMETHYL ETHER ACETATE （DPMA） | 88917-22-0 |
| POLY(VINYL CHLORIDE-CO-VINYL ACETATE) | 9003‑22‑9 |
| Dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) | 120-61-6 |
| 2-3 Epoxypropyl Neodecanoate | 26761-45-5 |
| 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate (2-EHA) | 103-11-7 |
| 12-Hydroxystearic Acid (12-HSA) | 106-14-9 |
| Hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA) | 85-42-7 |
| Allyl alcohol | 107-18-6 |
| N,N-Dimethyl-n-octylamine | 7378-99-6 |
| N,N-Dimethyldecylamine | 1120-24-7 |
| N,N-Dimethyldodecylamine | 112-18-5 |
| N,N-Dimethyltetradecylamine | 112-75-4 |
| N,N-Dimethylhexadecylamine | 112-69-6 |
| N,N-Dimethyloctadecylamin | 124-28-7 |
| N,N-Dimethyl-C12-14-alkylamine | 68439-70-3 |
| DMA12/18 | 68391-04-8/61788-93-0 |
| N-Coconut-1,3-propyl diamine | 61791-63-7 |
| N-Tallowalkyl 1,3-propanediamines DAT | 61791-55-7 |
| Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride | 112-00-5 |
| N-Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride | 112-02-7 |
| Octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride | 112-03-8 |
| Dioctyldimethylammonium chloride | 5538-94-3 |
| MT(M-Toluidine) | 108-44-1 |
| PT(P-Toluidine) | 106-49-0 |
| O-Toluidine OT | 95-53-4 |
| C16-18-alkyldimethyl Octadecyl/Hexadecyl dimethylamines | 68390-97-6 |
| Octadecyl/behenyl dimethylamines | 124046-42-0 |
| N-3-Laurylamidopropyl dimethylamine | 3179-80-4 |
| N-3-(Hydrogenated cocoamido)propyl dimethylamines | 288095-05-6 |
| 3-(2-ETHYLHEXYLOXY) PROPYLAMIN | 5397-31-9 |
环氧树脂：通常作为胶粘剂、涂料和复合材料等材料的基体，广泛应用于建筑、机械、电子电气、航空航天等领域。一般情况下一个完整概念的环氧树脂组成物由四个方面的成分组成（图1）。但是在实际应用时，不一定四个方面的成分都要具备，但是树脂成分必须包括固化剂，可见固化剂的重要性。
图1 环氧树脂组成物的各成分及其作用
环氧树脂之所以能得到广泛的应用，就是这些成分多变配合的结果。尤其是固化剂，一旦环氧树脂确定后，固化剂对环氧树脂组成物的工艺性和固化产物的最终性能起到决定性作用。
一、环氧固化剂的分类
1.1 按酸碱性质分类
表1 按酸碱性质分类
1.2 按反应性和化学结构分类
图2 按反应性和化学结构分类
1.3 按固化温度分类
图3 按固化温度分类情况
1.4 按不同用途分类
图4 按不同用途分类情况
二、固化剂的结构与特性
全面了解具有相同官能基而化学结构不同的多胺固化剂的性状、特点，对选择固化剂非常重要。其主要特性（色相、熟度、适用期等）也呈一定规律性，具体如下图5所示：
图5 多胺类固化剂的化学结构和性质
三、固化剂发展趋势
固化剂作为发挥环氧树脂价值的一个核心物质，固化后产物的性质取决于固化剂的性能，因此对固化剂的研究之路具有深远的意义。从研究固化剂至今，结合国内外现状，目前固化剂面临着以下一些挑战与改变。
1、开发高活性耐热性优良的固化剂，改性聚醚胺、脂肪胺或混合复配制备高活性耐热性固化体系。
2、韧性与强度的结合。由于传统环氧树脂在固化后性能较差，特别是韧性低、质脆，极大影响其使用，因此提高环氧树脂的性能就需要改进韧性。
3、固化环境，克服胺固化剂挥发性与毒性，用物理或化学法改性胺以促进室温固化剂的发展。
4、特殊环境的适应性与专用性。满足潮湿、地下低温环境或水库大坝补修的水下等特殊环境。
5、固化剂与固化技术的匹配性。将多种固化技术（热固化、微波固化、光固化）结合，选择合适的固化剂或许可以得到综合性能兼优的固化产物。
6、加热型潜伏性固化剂具有极大的潜力，可以继续研究双氰胺及其改性产物、有机酸酰肼、硼-胺络合物、咪唑类、微胶囊等潜伏性固化剂。
| 应用领域 | 被粘材料 | 主要特征 | 主要用途 |
| 土木建筑 | 混凝土，木，金属，玻璃，热固性塑 | 低黏度，能在潮湿面（或水中）固化，低温固化性 | 混凝土修补（新旧面的衔接），外墙裂缝修补，嵌板的粘结，下水道管的连接，地板粘结，建筑结构加固。 |
| 电子电器 | 金属、陶瓷，玻璃，FRP等势固性塑料 | 电绝缘性、耐湿性，耐热冲击性，耐热性，低腐蚀性 | 电子元件，集成电路，液晶屏，光盘，扬声器，磁头，铁芯，电池盒，抛物面天线，印制电路板 |
| 航天航空 | 金属，热固性塑料，FRP（纤维增强塑料） | 耐热，耐冲击，耐湿性，耐疲劳，耐辐射线 | 同种金属、异种金属的粘接，蜂窝芯和金属的粘接，复合材料，配电盘的粘接 |
| 汽车机械 | 金属，热固性塑料，FRP | 耐湿性，防锈，油面粘接，耐磨耐久性（疲劳特性） | 车身粘结，薄钢板补强，FRP粘结，机械结构的修复、安装 |
| 体育用品 | 金属，木，玻璃，热固性塑料，FRP | 耐久性，耐冲击性 | 滑雪板，高尔夫球杆，网球拍 |
| 其他 | 金属，玻璃，陶瓷 | 低毒性，不泛黄 | 文物修补，家庭用 |
电子电器
由于环氧树脂的绝缘性能高、结构强度大和密封性能好等许多独特的优点，已在高低压电器、电机和电子元器件的绝缘及封装上得到广泛应用，发展很快。主要用于：1．电器、电机绝缘封装件的浇注。如电磁铁、接触器线圈、互感器、干式变压器等高低压电器的整体全密封绝缘封装件的制造。在电器工业中得到了快速发展。从常压浇注、真空浇注已发展到自动压力凝胶成型。
| 工程类别 | 粘接对象 | 典型用途 | 主要组成 |
| 基础结构 | 岩石—岩石金属—石或混凝土金属—混凝土金属—金属 | 疏松岩层的补强、基础加固、预埋螺栓、底脚等，柱子、桩头、接长、悬臂梁加粗、桥梁加固、路面设施敷设 | 环氧—稀释剂—改性胺环氧—填料—改性胺双酚S环氧—缩水甘油胺树脂—丁基橡胶—改性胺 |
| 地面 | 瓷、花岗石—混凝土金属—混凝土砂石—混凝土PVC—橡胶—金属 | 耐腐蚀地坪制造中粘结构及勾缝；地面防滑和美化、净化；地板的铺设 | 环氧—填料—改性胺环氧—聚硫橡胶—改性胺丙烯酸酯—环氧共聚乳液 |
| 维修 | 混凝土、钢筋、灰浆 | 堤坝、闸门、建筑物的裂缝、缺损、起壳的修复，新旧水泥粘接 | 环氧—糖醇—改性胺环氧—沥青—改性胺环氧—活性石灰—改性胺 |
| 装潢 | 金属、玻璃、大理石、瓷砖有机玻璃、聚碳酸酯 | 墙面、门面、招牌、广告牌的安装和装潢 | 环氧—聚氯酯环氧—有机硅橡胶 |
| 给排水 | 金属、混凝土 | 管道、水渠衬里，管接头密封 | 环氧—改性芳香胺 |
| 用途 | 被粘材料 | 粘结部位 | 典型组成 |
| 卷边、点焊 | 钢板—钢板 | 发动机罩、门、行李箱底 | 单组分、环氧—聚氯酯 |
| 补强 | 钢板—FRP钢板—发泡材料 | 门中部门把手 | 环氧—偏硼酸三甲酯环氧—聚酰胺 |
| 结构粘接 | 碳、玻璃纤维，钢，生铁 | 驱动轴、刹车片 | 单组分环氧原浆料 |
| 粘结密封 | FRP—涂装钢板 | 车顶—窗框 | 环氧—聚硫橡胶 |
| 装饰粘接 | 聚丙烯酸酯—聚丙烯 | 后背灯座 | 改性环氧树脂 |
2．广泛用于装有电子元件和线路的器件的灌封绝缘。已成为电子工业不可缺少的重要绝缘材料。
3．电子级环氧模塑料用于半导体元器件的塑封。来发展极快。由于它的性能优越，大有取代传统的金属、陶瓷和玻璃封装的趋势。
4．环氧层压塑料在电子、电器领域应用甚广。其中环氧覆铜板的发展尤其迅速，已成为电子工业的基础材料之一。
此外，环氧绝缘涂料、绝缘胶粘剂和电胶粘剂也有大量应用。
| ACF Chemical Co., Ltd. Athena phone/whatsapp：008613805212761 email：ceo@acfchemical.com No. 45 Pengwan Road, Qianwan Bonded Port Area, Qingdao Area, China (Shandong) welcome to vist our factory. sample is free ACF Chemical Qingdao Co., Ltd. was established in 1987. the company has over decades of experience in the production of methacrylate and acrylate series products, as well as high-efficiency polymerization inhibitors and rubber and plastic antioxidant series products. The company’s leading products are high-efficiency polymerization inhibitor series products, with an annual production capacity of 1,000 tons of tert-butylhydroquinone (TBC), 800 tons of polymerization inhibitor TH-701, 500 tons of polymerization inhibitor TH-A294, 500 tons of polymerization inhibitor TH-100BE, 500 tons of phenothiazine, and 200 tons of hydroquinone. | |
| Product | CAS: |
| Poly(VinylEthylEther | 25104-37-4 |
| 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate | 27247-96-7 |
| Tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate TDI | 584-84-9 |
| Methyltetrahydrophthalic andhydride(MTHPA) | 11070-44-3 |
| Methylhexahydrophthalic andhydride(MHHPA) | 25550-51-0 |
| 4-MHHPA Hexahydro-4-methylphthalic anhydride | 19438-60-9 |
| Methyl Nadic Anhydride(MNA) | 25134-21-8 |
| 3,4,5,6-THPA 3,4,5,6-Tetrahydrophthalic anhydride | 2426-02-0 |
| Toluenesulfonamide(0/PTSA) | 1333-07-9 |
| LABSA (Linear-Alkylbenzenesulfonic Acid) | 27176-87-0 |
| MMT Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl | 12108-13-3 |
| C12/18 TERTIARY AMINE(MB) | 68391-04-8 |
| Alkyl (C12-C14) Glycidyl Ether (AGE) | 68609-97-2 |
| NMA(N-methylaniline) | 100-61-8 |
| N-ethylaniline | 103-69-5 |
| C12-14-alkyldimethylamines | 84649-84-3 |
| Aniline | 62-53-3 |
| TETA ( Triethylene Tetraamine ) | 112-24-3 |
| 2EH(2-Ethylhexylamine) | 104-75-6 |
| Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) | 68585-34-2 |
| Titanium dioxide powder coating, paint grade. | |
| 1-Propene, 2-methyl-, homopolymer, hydroformylation products , reaction products with ammonia | 337367-30-3 |
| PEG-40 Castor Oil (Castor oil 40 EO, Castor oil ethoxylated 40 EO) | 61791-12-6 |
| Hydrogenated PEG-40 Castor Oil (Hydrogenated castor oil 40 EO, hydrogenated castor oil ethoxylate 40 EO) – CAS 61788-85-0 | 61788-85-0 |
| Ethoxylated cocoamine EO 2 (PEG-2 cocoamine) – CAS 61791-14-8 | 61791-14-8 |
| Hydrogenated Tallow Amine ethoxylate EO 8 (PEG-8 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine) – CAS: 61791-26-2 | 61791-26-2 |
| Phenyl Glycidyl Ether | 122-60-1 |
| Neopentane Glycol Diglycidyl Ether | 17557-23-2 |
| Benzyl Glycidyl Ether | 89616-40-0 |
| Diethylene Glycol Diglycidyl Ether | 39443-66-8 |
| Butyl glycidyl ether | 2426-08-6. |
| HydrogenatedTallowAmine | 61788-45-2 |
| Dodecyltrimethylammoniumbromide | 1119-94-4 |
| Didodecyldimethylammoniumbromide | 3282-73-3 |
| Dioctyldimethylammoniumbromide | 3026-69-5 |
| Sodium Dimethyl Dithiocarbamate (SDD) | 128-04-1 |
| Potassium Dimethyl Dithiocarbamate (KDD) | 128-03-0 |
| Boron Trifluoride Etherate | 109-63-7 |
| 3-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane | 2530-83-8 |
| *MTHP – Methyl Tetra Hydro Pyran | 4717-96-8 |
| 2-(2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol | 111-77-3 |
| HYDROQUINONE MONOMETHYL ETHER | 150-76-5 |
| MONO ISOPROPYLAMINE | 75-31-0 |
| Isopropyl Acetate (IPAC) | 108-21-4 |
| Antioxidant 24 | ANGCHEN Co., Ltd. Rm B-1803,818 North Xingyuan Road,WuXi,China P.C.: 214005 TEL : +86-510-83751665 +86-510-82327577 FAX : +86-510-82328286 E-mail : sales@angchenchem.com URL : www.angchenchem.com |
| PROPYLENE GLYCOL MONOMETHYL ETHER ACETATE （PMA) | 108-65-6 |
| PROPYLENE GLYCOL MONOMETHYL ETHER (PM) | 107-98-2 |
| DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL DIMETHYL ETHER (DPDM) | 111109-77-4 |
| DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL MONOMETHYL ETHER ACETATE （DPMA） | 88917-22-0 |
| POLY(VINYL CHLORIDE-CO-VINYL ACETATE) | 9003‑22‑9 |
| Dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) | 120-61-6 |
| 2-3 Epoxypropyl Neodecanoate | 26761-45-5 |
| 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate (2-EHA) | 103-11-7 |
| 12-Hydroxystearic Acid (12-HSA) | 106-14-9 |
| Hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA) | 85-42-7 |
| Allyl alcohol | 107-18-6 |
| N,N-Dimethyl-n-octylamine | 7378-99-6 |
| N,N-Dimethyldecylamine | 1120-24-7 |
| N,N-Dimethyldodecylamine | 112-18-5 |
| N,N-Dimethyltetradecylamine | 112-75-4 |
| N,N-Dimethylhexadecylamine | 112-69-6 |
| N,N-Dimethyloctadecylamin | 124-28-7 |
| N,N-Dimethyl-C12-14-alkylamine | 68439-70-3 |
| DMA12/18 | 68391-04-8/61788-93-0 |
| N-Coconut-1,3-propyl diamine | 61791-63-7 |
| N-Tallowalkyl 1,3-propanediamines DAT | 61791-55-7 |
| Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride | 112-00-5 |
| N-Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride | 112-02-7 |
| Octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride | 112-03-8 |
| Dioctyldimethylammonium chloride | 5538-94-3 |
| MT(M-Toluidine) | 108-44-1 |
| PT(P-Toluidine) | 106-49-0 |
| O-Toluidine OT | 95-53-4 |
| C16-18-alkyldimethyl Octadecyl/Hexadecyl dimethylamines | 68390-97-6 |
| Octadecyl/behenyl dimethylamines | 124046-42-0 |
| N-3-Laurylamidopropyl dimethylamine | 3179-80-4 |
| N-3-(Hydrogenated cocoamido)propyl dimethylamines | 288095-05-6 |
| 3-(2-ETHYLHEXYLOXY) PROPYLAMIN | 5397-31-9 |
