Raw Materials for Epoxy Systems

Founded in 1996, Kimsel Kimya's extensive product range includes raw materials for water-based systems: styrene acrylic and pure acrylic binders, antifoams, dispersing agents, surface agents, cellulosic thickeners, film-forming agents, PU and acrylic thickeners, water repellents, anticorrosive agents, neutralizing agents, epoxy hardeners and cost reducers. Raw materials for solvent-based systems: Siccatives, anti-skinning agents, rheology agents (silicas and bentonites), matting agents, silicone-based special resins, anticorrosive additives, antifoams, dispersing agents and surface agents, specialty additives, epoxy resins and hardeners. Raw materials for construction chemicals: powder polymers, cellulosic thickeners, starch ethers, setting accelerators, powder water repellents and powder antifoams. Raw materials for PU case systems: blocked isocyanates, PU dispersions, 1K-2K system-compatible PU prepolymers. The subject I wish to detail in this article concerns the raw materials we supply to epoxy systems. As is known, epoxy is an excellent thermoset resin with outstanding mechanical strength. Due to its properties, it is used in numerous industries ranging from paints, floor coating systems, adhesives, structural repair mortars, aerospace and aviation technologies, to the maritime sector. As Kimsel Kimya, we supply the most important raw materials used in epoxy resin-based formulations.

Epoxy Resins

Our product portfolio includes standard-type high-viscosity, low-viscosity and solvent-based epoxy resin varieties from SIR INDUSTRIALE of Italian origin and SINOPEC of Chinese origin, used in floor coating and paint systems.

Epoxy Hardeners

With its dynamic and innovative team, Kimsel Kimya continuously adds new products to its portfolio. In this context, in 2020 it signed a distributorship agreement with Evonik Epoxy Curing Agents (ECA) systems. The group includes the Ancamine, Ancamide, Anquamine, Anquawhite and Epilink groups, among others, and now comprises more than 100 epoxy hardener products. All products in the ECA group are formulated epoxy resin hardeners. To elaborate: this group includes hardener solutions for water and solvent-based epoxy-based metal paints, water-based and solvent-free floor coatings, repair mortars, all types of epoxy-based adhesives and composite systems. One of our core products designed for use in solvent-based epoxy paints is Ancamide 221*70, whose best-known properties are: excellent corrosion resistance, good color stability and compatibility with a wide range of solvent types. For water-based epoxy paints, Epilink 360 is our low-VOC product that adheres easily to damp concrete. For solvent-free floor coating systems, Ancamine 2686, especially recommended as a primer and intermediate coat hardener, provides excellent adhesion to concrete even under harsh conditions and shows rapid curing at low temperatures. For the topcoat, Ancamine 1618, Ancamine 2760 and Ancamine 2759 stand out. Ancamine 1618 and 2760 have similar properties and are standard topcoat hardeners providing excellent color stability. Ancamine 2759 is a high-quality topcoat hardener that provides rapid curing even at low temperatures, with good carbamate and chemical resistance. Successful results can be achieved with Ancamide 3444, recommended for moisture barrier systems. Ancamine 2739 can be preferred for "amine blush" problems. The leading products recommended for water-based floor coating systems are: Anquawhite 100, Anquamine 721, Anquamine 728 (new product, fast version), Epilink 701, Anquamine 735 and Anquamine 287. Anquawhite 100 provides an excellent clear and durable topcoat. Anquamine 721 can be preferred in primer, intermediate coat and colored topcoat systems, while Anquamine 728 has high yellowing resistance, is suitable for primer and topcoat, cures quickly and has good aesthetic properties. Epilink 701 and Anquamine 735 are recommended for self-leveling systems. Anquamine 287 is a hardener used for epoxy plus cement-based systems. Our main recommendations for adhesive systems are: Ancamine 2014AS for 1K systems and Ancamide 3030 for 2K systems. Additionally, Ancamide 260 A is recommended for general-purpose use in 2K systems. Ancamine 2914 UF, a new product designed by Evonik ECA group for rapid assembly industrial systems and electronic systems, stands out with its ability to cure much faster than mercaptan-based adhesives. Finally, compatible with all systems, the effective activator-accelerator Ancamine K 54, frequently heard on the market, can bring the relevant system close to the desired drying speed under optimal conditions of use.

Additive Group

As is known, Kimsel Kimya has successfully managed the Evonik Paints and Coatings Additives group distribution for a long time. This important additive group, which can eliminate many paint defects and significantly improve paint performance, includes: air release agents (Airex), antifoams (Foamex), dispersing agents (Dispers), surface control agents (Wet, Twin, Glide, Flow), water-repellent silicones (Phobe), water-based thickening agents (Viscoplus), hammertone effect additive (Hammer), heat-resistant silicone resins (Silikophen, Silikopon), adhesion promoters (Variplus, Addbond, Addid 900), antistatic additive (Addid 230), universal pigment paste resin (Variplus LK) and other specialty resins. In the first quarter of 2019, Kimsel Kimya was appointed distributor of the silica groups within Evonik that have become the market's most recognized brand. Products in this group include: powder rheology control agents (Aerosil, Aerodisp) and matting agents (Acematt). Toward the end of 2019, Kimsel Kimya was again chosen as distributor for the high-performance and versatile additives known by the brand names Surfynol, Zetasperse, Dynol, Carbowet and Airase within Evonik. These product groups add superior properties to paint systems and easily solve problems such as paint defects. With all Evonik Paints and Coatings Additives, we can provide effective solutions to our customers and help improve product performance.

Anticorrosive Additives

The most important parameter to be known and considered in metal coating systems is corrosion. Factors affecting corrosion include: moisture, oxygen, damp surfaces, salinity and environmental factors (temperature, congestion). The most practical and cost-effective system in corrosion control is paint and coating. For this reason, raw materials used in metal paint systems must be carefully selected. However, even if all raw materials have anticorrosive properties, it is not sufficient; at least one rust inhibitor additive must be present in the formulation. Zinc phosphates, commonly used in this market, are preferred for both their low cost and good rust prevention capability. However, since the product is in powder form, dissolution problems may arise in the paint formulation, and it does not provide practical use. In 2018, French company ASCOTEC, which signed a distribution agreement with Kimsel Kimya, manufactures liquid, easy-to-use, high-performance and variety-based anticorrosive additives for metal painting systems.

We can list the Ascotec product groups and their properties as follows:

1. ASCOTRAN–Anti Flush Rust Additive: Recommended product for preventing sudden rusting that occurs a few minutes after applying paint to the metal surface in water-based metal paints. Product varieties exist according to the application surface. 2. ASCONIUM–Long-Term Rust Inhibitor Additive: A long-term rust prevention additive for water and solvent-based metal paints. Product varieties exist according to application surface, resin types used and external factors of the system location. 3. ASCOTRUST–Additive for Metal Paints Applied Directly to Rusty Surfaces: Developed for water-based metal paints. By adding this additive to the formulation, paint can be applied directly to rusty surfaces without extensive pre-treatment. As Kimsel Kimya, we can provide comprehensive solutions to our customers and continue on our path with the same goal.     Çiğdem Dal Technical Sales Manager Kimsel Kimya