Frequently Asked Questions
DMP-30 as Epoxy Accelerator — Mechanism
DMP-30 (2,4,6-Tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol, CAS 90-72-2) is a tertiary amine that functions as a cure accelerator for epoxy-polyamide and epoxy-amine systems. It catalyses the ring-opening of the epoxide group without consuming stoichiometric equivalents — unlike primary or secondary amines used as hardeners.
At typical dosage (0.5–3 phr), DMP-30 significantly reduces pot life and accelerates through-cure, enabling faster return-to-service on floor coatings and industrial maintenance systems. It also acts as a standalone curing agent at high loadings (5–15 phr) for certain casting applications.
DMP-30 vs BDMA — Accelerator Comparison
| Property | DMP-30 (K54) | BDMA (CAS 103-83-3) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical name | 2,4,6-Tris(DMA)phenol | Benzyldimethylamine |
| Functionality | Trifunctional (3 amine groups) | Monofunctional |
| Typical dosage | 0.5–3 phr (accelerator) | 0.5–2 phr (accelerator) |
| Acceleration effect | Strong — significant pot life reduction | Moderate acceleration |
| Yellowing tendency | Moderate (amber liquid) | Lower yellowing |
| Standalone cure | Yes (5–15 phr for casting) | Limited standalone use |
| PIR/PUR catalyst | Yes — K54 widely used in PIR foam | Limited |
Use in PIR / PUR Foam
DMP-30 (RAYCURE K54) is a standard catalyst in polyisocyanurate (PIR) and polyurethane (PUR) rigid foam systems. In rigid foam, DMP-30 promotes both the trimerisation of isocyanate (isocyanurate formation) and urethane formation, contributing to fire resistance and thermal stability of the foam. Typical dosage in PIR systems: 1–3 phr on polyol component.