Salicylic acid is an efficient catalyst of the epoxy-amine reaction. It has therefore been used for half a century as an accelerator in the formulation of amine-based hardeners for epoxy resins.
However, the classification of salicylic acid as a CMR (carcinogenic/mutagenic/reprotoxic) substance has caused its use in formulated products to be re-assessed. Since May 1st 2020, the use of salicylic acid in formulated products is considered safe up to 3% m/m; above that concentration limit, the product should be treated as a CMR and should be classified and labelled accordingly.
In view of this situation, in QR Polymers we have decided to reformulate some of our epoxy curing agents typically used in the construction sector and make them completely free of salicylic acid. Our new amine adducts Q-RIT 315, Q-RIT 317 and Q-RIT 318 contain 0% salicylic acid. Not only are they compliant with the latest regulations, they also respond to our customers’ continuous search for more friendly products for now and for the future.
Lately we added Q-RIT 381 to our hardeners range. It does not contain any salicylic acid nor any VOC. This product allows faster cure and provides superior chemical resistance to epoxy floorings or paints.
| Hardeners | Solids (% m/m) | Viscosity @25°C (mPa.s) | HEW (g/Eq) | Gel time (minutes) (a) | Uses and comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q-RIT 315 | 100 | 200-500 | 115 | 30 | Salicylic acid-free. UV-resistance. Good mechanical, acid and solvent resistance. phr 60 (liquid resin, EEW 190) |
| Q-RIT 317 | 100 | 150-450 | 93 | 40 | Salicylic acid-free. Superior resistance to carbamation / waterspotting. Good colour stability, good chemical resistance. For solvenfree self-leveling floorings, and paints. phr 50 (liquid resin, EEW 190) |
| Q-RIT 318 | 100 | 100-350 | 93 | 30 | Salicylic acid-free. Superior resistance to carbamation / waterspotting. Good colour stability, good chemical resistance. For solvenfree self-leveling floorings, and paints. phr 50 (liquid resin, EEW 190) |
| Q-RIT 381 | 100 | 1000-4000 | 84 | 15-16 | Salicylic acid-free, benzyl alcohol-free. O VOC. Superior chemical resistance. Alternative to Mannich bases. phr 44 (liquid resin, EEW 190) |
| (a) with a liquid resin (EEW 190), 100 g mix, measured @23°C | |||||
Besides, are you familiar with amidoamines? Solventfree amidoamines are in general suitable for use in various construction applications, too. For example in floorings or in solventfree concrete paints. Here we can propose medium or low viscous salicylic acid-free hardeners as well. In particular we recommend:
| Hardeners | Solids (% m/m) | Viscosity @25°C (mPa.s) | HEW (g/Eq) | Gel time (minutes) (a) | Uses and comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q-RIT 436 | 100 | 500-1200 | 90 | 70-80 | For solventfree self-leveling and trowelable floorings, mortars, patching compounds, adhesives and encapsulation systems. Can be used on green concrete. phr 47-50 (liquid resin, EEW 190) |
| Q-RIT 439 | 100 | 150-450 | 95 | 150 | Low viscosity/long potlife curing agent for solventfree concrete primers, repair mortars, crack injection, castings, adhesives and tiles joints. Can be used on green concrete. phr 50 (liquid resin, EEW 190) |
| Q-RIT 653 | 100 | 250-500 | 115 | 30-40 | Good substrate impregnation, outstanding adhesion to concrete and to humid substrates. Very good corrosion protection. For solventfree concrete coatings, concrete repair and high-solids primers. phr 60 (liquid resin, EEW 190) |
| (a) with a liquid resin (EEW 190), 100 g mix, measured @23°C | |||||
