Di-tert-Amyl Peroxide (DTAP)

Di-tert-Amyl Peroxide (DTAP) is a dialkyl peroxide initiator with a 10-hour half-life temperature of approximately 112°C, used in high-temperature cure and crosslinking applications for polymer composites, rubber, and polyolefins. DTAP offers several advantages over di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP): it is a liquid at room temperature (unlike DCP which is a solid), it generates no solid decomposition residues, and its decomposition products — primarily ethanol, ethylene, and carbon dioxide — are relatively clean and low-odor compared to DCP's acetophenone. This makes DTAP an attractive alternative to DCP in applications requiring clean, low-residue cure, such as wire and cable insulation, specialty foam crosslinking, and high-temperature UPR composite systems. In composites, DTAP finds use in post-cure treatments applied at 120–150°C and in specialty high-temperature pultrusion. Its liquid form simplifies metering. Typical dosage is 0.5–2% on resin. DTAP has good stability at ambient temperature, with a 12-month shelf life at 20°C.