Resins Deliver Increased Crystallization Resistance

To some, it may come as a surprise when opening an epoxy resin drum to find that the liquid resin has become turbid or even solid. But those who frequently handle liquid epoxy resin will most likely have experienced this phenomenon, known as crystallization.

What is Crystallization?
Crystallization is similar to what occurs when water freezes and changes from a liquid to a solid. When the temperature is increased or heat is applied, the ice will melt and return to its original liquid state. The water is exactly the same before and after the crystallization and there are no property changes as the water goes through repeated freeze thaw cycles. The same is true of liquid epoxy resins.

"Crystallization is more of an inconvenience than anything else," says Rajesh Turakhia, senior specialist. "But if you understand the factors that influence the tendency for resins to crystallize, and know what to do if it happens, then you can keep this problem from becoming an annoyance."

Crystallization-Resistant Epoxies
While crystallization is difficult to predict or eliminate entirely, Dow Epoxy offers a selection of pre-made, low viscosity bisphenol-A/F epoxy resin blends  that have demonstrated a very low tendency to crystallize (D.E.R.™ 351, D.E.R. 352 and D.E.R. 356 epoxy resin).

In addition, reactive diluent modified bisphenol-A/F epoxy resin blends have a very low tendency to crystallize. An example is D.E.R. 353 liquid epoxy resin.

Introducing an Enhanced Crystallization-Resistant Resin
Now, Dow Epoxy is experimenting with a new liquid epoxy resin that delays the onset of crystallization considerably versus today's standard liquid epoxies. The resin, known for now as XU 19109.00 is not a blend or a modified liquid epoxy resin, but a core liquid epoxy resin.

This experimental resin takes about four to five times longer to crystallize than standard liquid epoxy resins. The resin also significantly delays the onset of crystallization of a liquid epoxy resin blend when mixed with standard diluents like alkyl (C12-C14) glycidyl ether, butyl glycidyl ether, and others.

Dow Epoxy is currently accepting a limited number of sample requests for this material in North America.

Download our technical bulletin on the Crystallization of Liquid Epoxy Resins  to learn more about this phenomenon, the causes, solutions, and suggestions for resin storage and selection.

Other technical bulletins are available from Dow Epoxy. If you haven't already, you may sign up to receive new technical bulletins as they become available.

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