Cycloaliphatic Epoxy Resin (EEW 125-145)

CAS 2386-87-0In StockSample available

Key Features

  • UV-cationic curable without oxygen inhibition
  • Outstanding UV/weathering resistance — no yellowing
  • Superior arc and tracking resistance for outdoor electrical
  • High purity for optical and semiconductor applications
  • Excellent electrical insulation (dielectric strength >20 kV/mm)

Cycloaliphatic Epoxy Resin (EEW 125-145 g/eq, CAS 2386-87-0) is 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate, the benchmark cycloaliphatic diepoxide for UV-cationic curing and high-performance electrical applications. The oxirane groups are directly incorporated into alicyclic rings, conferring exceptional UV/weathering resistance, arc resistance, and tracking resistance unachievable with glycidyl ether-based epoxies.

Cycloaliphatic epoxy cures by cationic photoinitiators (diaryliodonium or triarylsulfonium salts) under UV irradiation without the oxygen inhibition problem of radical-cure acrylates, enabling use in UV-curable coatings, UV-curable adhesives, and UV LED curing systems for electronics. In thermally cured systems with anhydrides (MTHPA, HHPA) and Lewis acid catalysts, it provides Tg values of 150-175°C with outstanding electrical insulation (dielectric strength >20 kV/mm, dissipation factor <0.003 at 1 MHz).

Principal applications include outdoor electrical insulator encapsulation (arc-resistant, tracking-resistant), UV-cured electronics conformal coatings, cycloaliphatic epoxy/anhydride cast electrical insulators (medium-voltage bushings, switchgear), and high-purity optical epoxy systems where aromatic epoxies would cause yellowing. Unlike glycidyl ether epoxies, cycloaliphatic epoxy shows negligible yellowing under UV exposure, making it the preferred choice for long-life outdoor electrical applications.

Specifications

ParameterValue
AppearanceWater-white to slightly yellow liquid
Color (APHA)≤50
Density (25°C)1.17-1.18 g/cm³
Tg (MTHPA cured)150-175°C
Viscosity (25°C)350-500 mPa·s
Dielectric Strength>20 kV/mm
Epoxy Equivalent Weight125-145 g/eq

Applications

UV-cationic cure coatings and adhesives (electronics, optics)Outdoor electrical insulator encapsulation (arc/tracking resistant)Medium-voltage cast resin insulators (bushings, switchgear)Conformal coatings for PCBs (UV-cured)High-purity optical potting and clear casting

FAQ

Diaryliodonium salts (e.g., diphenyliodonium hexafluoroantimonate, 1-3 phr) and triarylsulfonium hexafluorophosphate salts (1-3 phr) are the standard UV-cationic photoinitiators. Diaryliodonium salts are more reactive but may cause slight yellowing at high loading; triarylsulfonium salts provide better thermal stability. UV LED curing (365-395 nm) requires photoinitiators with absorption in that range — some commercial grades are specifically optimized for 365 nm LED sources. Sensitizers (anthracene, isopropylthioxanthone) can extend the absorption window for LED curing systems.

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