Understanding Cycloaliphatic Epoxy Resins and Application

What Are Cycloaliphatic Epoxy Resins?

Cycloaliphatic epoxy resins are a branch of epoxy resins, which are compounds with general properties of aliphatic compounds and structures of carbon rings. In organic chemistry, epoxy laminated glass cloth rod density, organic substances are generally divided into three categories: 1. Acyclic compounds, where carbon atoms in the molecule are connected in chains, also known as "aliphatic compounds"; 2. Carbocyclic compounds, where carbon atoms in the molecule are connected in rings, including alicyclic and aromatic compounds; 3. Heterocyclic compounds, which contain rings with other atoms (such as O, N, S, P, etc.). In industry, cycloaliphatic epoxy resins usually refer to compounds formed by oxidizing cycloalkenes with two double bonds using peroxides (such as peracetic acid).

Due to the cycloaliphatic epoxy resins' epoxy group being directly connected to the aliphatic ring, it can form a tight and rigid molecular structure. After curing, it has high crosslink density, resulting in a high heat distortion temperature, with a Martens heat resistance temperature reaching above 190℃, and thermal decomposition temperature greater than 360℃. Therefore, it has low curing shrinkage, high tensile strength, and good thermal stability.

Since there are no chlorine, sodium, and other ions during synthesis, cycloaliphatic epoxy resins have better dielectric properties, whether in terms of specific resistivity or dielectric loss tangent value, compared to bisphenol A type epoxy resin.

Unlike ordinary bisphenol A type epoxy resin, cycloaliphatic epoxy resins do not contain benzene rings in its molecular structure, providing them with good weather resistance and UV radiation resistance. When paired with cationic photoinitiators UVI-6976 or UVI-6992, they are very suitable for use in photo-curing systems.

Cycloaliphatic epoxy resins have higher reactivity to anhydrides compared to amines. The specialty epoxy resins can fully cure in an anhydride system, avoiding the use of highly toxic and volatile amine curing agents, making it safer for operators.

Applications of Cycloaliphatic Epoxy Resins in Photo-Curing Fields

• Photo-curing coatings, electronic adhesives, insulating materials, LED encapsulation adhesives, 3D printing, and other industries, especially in the electronics industry like LED encapsulation, where they can exhibit excellent electrical insulation properties.
  

• Photo-curing coatings, photo-curing inks, composites, UV adhesives, and industries which do not strictly require halogens.

• Metal decorative coatings, overprint varnish, soft packaging, and lamination adhesives.

• LED encapsulation, photo-curing inks and coatings, high-voltage electrical components, capacitor oil, transformer oil, and other fields.

Applications of Cycloaliphatic Epoxy Resins in Photo-Curing 3D Printing

Due to its cycloaliphatic epoxy resins' features like low viscosity, low swelling, fast curing, low shrinkage, and high photosensitivity, it has a vast application prospect in the photo-curing field. Especially in the emerging market — the 3D printing field, where downstream customers' pursuit of high-performance formulations and government-imposed environmental requirements will surely drive a significant increase in the demand for cycloaliphatic epoxy resins.

Cycloaliphatic epoxy resins are usually used in SLA photo-curing stereolithography cationic photosensitive systems, with application fields including:

• Electronic product mold development;

• Test model production for engineering design;

• Three-dimensional human body and organ replication for auxiliary diagnosis, surgery assistance, etc..

Applications of Cycloaliphatic Epoxy Resins in Thermal-Cured Mold Manufacturing

Cycloaliphatic epoxy compounds offered by cycloaliphatic epoxy resin manufacturers, can also serve as resin components in plastic molds. The resulting cured product has good heat resistance, mechanical strength, low volumetric shrinkage, and high precision, making it suitable for precision casting molds and molds. Compared to metal molds, it is easier to process, lower in cost, lighter in weight, and beneficial for molding operations.