Amivion PEA-23 is a low molecular weight, difunctional polypropylene oxide-based polyetheramine used as a fast-curing epoxy resin curing agent in applications that demand low viscosity, rapid handling strength development, and tough, impact-resistant cured networks. As the lowest molecular weight member of its polyoxypropylenediamine family, Amivion PEA-23 provides a low amine hydrogen equivalent weight and high amine group density per unit mass, giving formulators a highly reactive, easy-to-handle curing agent for coatings, castings, adhesives, and composite systems. Amivion PEA-23 cures epoxy resins through primary amine ring-opening addition, producing clear, tough thermoset networks with good impact resistance and minimal surface blush.
Amivion PEA-23 Overview
Amivion PEA-23 is a member of the polyoxypropylenediamine family, characterized by a short polypropylene oxide backbone terminated with two primary amine groups located on secondary carbon atoms. With an average molecular weight of approximately 230, Amivion PEA-23 has the shortest backbone and lowest amine hydrogen equivalent weight among the common commercial polyetheramine curing agents, which translates into a low use level relative to epoxy resin, fast cure development, and low viscosity that is easy to mix and process, even at reduced temperatures.
Because Amivion PEA-23 combines a high primary amine content with a compact molecular structure, it reacts quickly with epoxy resins to build early hardness and green strength, making it well suited to fast-turnaround coating, casting, and adhesive processes. It is also reactive with isocyanates and carboxylic acids, giving formulators flexibility to use it as a building block in polyurea systems and amine-terminated hot melt adhesives, in addition to its primary role as an epoxy curing agent.
Key Features
- Low Viscosity for Easy Processing: Amivion PEA-23 has a low neat viscosity, allowing rapid mixing with epoxy resin and fillers, easy air release, and straightforward application by brush, roller, spray, or casting even in cooler shop conditions.
- Low AHEW for Efficient Formulation: The compact backbone of Amivion PEA-23 gives it a low amine hydrogen equivalent weight, so less curing agent is needed per unit of epoxy resin compared with higher molecular weight polyetheramine curatives, simplifying stoichiometric calculations and reducing formulation cost.
- Fast Cure and Rapid Strength Development: High primary amine content drives quick gel and hardness development, shortening demold and recoat times in casting and coating applications where production throughput matters.
- Tough, Blush-Free Cured Films: Cured networks based on Amivion PEA-23 are clear, tough, and impact resistant, with reduced surface blush compared with many conventional amine curing agents, supporting a cleaner final finish.
- Broad Solvent and Water Miscibility: Amivion PEA-23 is completely miscible with a wide range of solvents, including water, giving formulators latitude in adjusting viscosity and application properties.
Typical Applications
Amivion PEA-23 is widely used as a curing agent for two-component epoxy coatings, floor coatings, and clear castings where fast cure, low viscosity, and good impact resistance are priorities. Its low use level and rapid strength development make it a practical choice for concrete and metal protective coatings, tooling and encapsulation resins, and general-purpose epoxy adhesives that must reach handling strength quickly after mixing.
Beyond conventional epoxy curing, It also serves as a reactive intermediate for polyurea and polyurethane-urea elastomer systems, where its primary amine groups react rapidly with isocyanates, and as a building block for amine-terminated hot melt adhesives formed through reaction with carboxylic acids. Formulators can also convert this curing agent into amine salts for use as surfactants or corrosion-inhibiting intermediates in select industrial formulations.
Technical Specifications
- Chemical Type: Polyoxypropylenediamine (difunctional polyetheramine)
- CAS No.: 9046-10-0
- Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid, slight haze permitted
- Average Molecular Weight: Approximately 230
- Amine Hydrogen Equivalent Weight (AHEW): 60 g/eq
- Equivalent Weight with Isocyanates: 120 g/eq
- Total Amine Value: 8.1-8.7 meq/g
- Primary Amine: ≥97% of total amine
- Viscosity: Approximately 9.5 cSt at 25°C
- Density: Approximately 0.948 g/mL at 25°C
- Color, Pt-Co: ≤25
- Flash Point (PMCC): Approximately 121°C
- Supply Form: Liquid
Storage Recommendations
Amivion PEA-23 should be stored in its original, tightly sealed container at ambient temperature, ideally below 38°C (100°F), to retain conformance to specification for at least two years from the date of manufacture. A nitrogen blanket is recommended during storage to minimize absorption of atmospheric moisture and carbon dioxide, both of which can gradually affect amine content and clarity over extended storage periods. Pronounced discoloration is likely if the product is exposed to temperatures above approximately 60°C, so prolonged heat exposure during storage or transport should be avoided.
Recommended materials of construction for tanks, lines, and pumps handling Amivion PEA-23 at moderate temperatures include carbon steel, with stainless steel preferred for heat exchange surfaces and for any equipment operating above about 38°C. Elastomeric components such as neoprene and Buna N should be avoided in gaskets and seals; polypropylene or PTFE-type materials are generally suitable. Any spillage can be flushed with water, and cleanout of lines and equipment can typically be accomplished using warm water and steam.
Formulators new to fast-curing, low-viscosity polyetheramine chemistry often run small qualification batches before committing to full production, checking gel time, exotherm behavior, and final hardness under their specific mixing ratios, ambient temperature, and film or casting thickness. These variables interact strongly with cure speed, so a curing agent that performs well in a thin coating film may behave quite differently in a thick casting where heat dissipates more slowly. Keeping a simple log of batch conditions and resulting cure performance helps formulators fine-tune mix ratios and processing windows over time, particularly when switching between substrates or seasonal workshop temperatures.
Packaging & Transport
Amivion PEA-23 is available in drums, totes, and bulk tank shipments to accommodate both small-batch formulators and large-volume industrial customers. Packaging is selected to minimize headspace and limit exposure to atmospheric moisture during transport and warehousing, helping preserve product clarity and amine content until the container is opened for use. Customers with specific pack-size or bulk logistics requirements are encouraged to contact our sales team to discuss the most suitable supply arrangement for their operation.
Amivion PEA-23: Safety & Handling
As a reactive primary amine, Amivion PEA-23 requires standard amine-handling precautions, including chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, and adequate ventilation at mixing and dispensing stations to minimize vapor and skin contact. Facilities should maintain appropriate spill-containment measures given the product’s water miscibility and should train operators on safe transfer procedures consistent with the current Safety Data Sheet.
Formulators selecting between Amivion PEA-23 and higher molecular weight, more flexible curing agents such as Amivion PEA-403 or Amivion PEA-40 should weigh the trade-off between Amivion PEA-23’s fast cure and low viscosity and the greater flexibility and elongation offered by longer-chain polyetheramine curatives, choosing the grade that best matches the mechanical and processing requirements of the intended application. Operators should always review the current Safety Data Sheet before handling Amivion PEA-23 for the first time.