Unlike aromatic amine hardeners that yellow rapidly under ultraviolet exposure, cycloaliphatic amines produce colour-stable, high-gloss films that retain their appearance over extended outdoor service — critical for structural steel coatings, flooring topcoats, and decorative industrial coatings in UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Technical specifications
| PARAMETER | SPECIFICATION | TEST METHOD |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Class | Cycloaliphatic polyamine (IPDA-based) | — |
| Appearance | Clear to light yellow liquid | Visual |
| Viscosity @ 25°C | 8 – 30 mPa·s | ASTM D445 |
| Amine Value | 600 – 900 mg KOH/g (grade dependent) | ASTM D2074 |
| AHEW | 42 – 75 g/eq (grade dependent) | Calculated |
| Density @ 25°C | 0.92 – 0.99 g/cm³ | ASTM D4052 |
| Flash Point | > 60°C | ASTM D93 |
| Pot Life @ 25°C (EEW 190) | 60 – 240 min (grade dependent) | — |
| Colour Stability (UV) | Excellent — no yellowing | — |
| Shelf Life | 12 months sealed | — |
| HS Code | 3824.99 |
Applications
- UV-Stable Exterior Epoxy Topcoats — Primary hardener for exterior protective topcoats on structural steel, bridges, and industrial structures in Saudi Arabia and UAE where intense UV radiation (UV Index 11+) causes rapid yellowing with aromatic hardeners.
- High-Gloss Industrial Floor Coatings — Produces clear, high-gloss epoxy floor coatings for showrooms, pharmaceutical facilities, food processing plants, and clean rooms across the GCC — where surface appearance and hygiene are both critical.
- Clear Coat & Decorative Coatings — Enables water-clear epoxy systems for decorative flooring, surface sealing, and protective clear coats where transparency and non-yellowing are essential.
- Grout & Adhesive Systems — Used in high-performance epoxy grouts and structural adhesives for construction applications requiring UV stability and colour retention in Saudi Arabia and UAE.
- Solvent-Free Flooring Systems — Cycloaliphatic amines enable solvent-free, low-VOC floor coating systems compatible with SASO VOC limits for Saudi Arabia — meeting sustainability requirements of Vision 2030 projects.
Key properties
- Outstanding UV resistance — no yellowing under GCC solar radiation
- Excellent gloss and colour retention over extended outdoor service
- Very low viscosity — easy metering and mixing
- Hard, scratch-resistant cured films
- Good chemical resistance in cured system
- Faster cure than polyamide at ambient temperature
- Solvent-free capability when used with reactive diluents
- Produces water-clear films — suitable for clear coats
Usage and recommendations
Typical addition: 50–85 g per 100 g epoxy resin (EEW 190) — varies by grade. Low AHEW means small addition levels — accurate weighing is critical. Pot-life at GCC summer temperatures (40–45°C) can be as short as 30–60 minutes — mix small batches. RAYCURE RD12 reactive diluent reduces viscosity without affecting UV stability. RAYCURE K54 may be used as accelerator. Contact Raykem technical team for specific grade recommendations.
Packaging
- 190 kg MS Barrel / Steel Drum
- IBC 950–1,000 kg (on request)
- Custom packaging available
Storage and shelf life
Store in sealed containers at 5–30°C away from direct sunlight. Cycloaliphatic amines absorb CO₂ and moisture — keep sealed when not in use. Shelf life: 12 months.