Amivion IPDA is a cycloaliphatic diamine curing agent based on isophoronediamine, offering a balanced combination of low viscosity, high chemical purity, and outstanding UV resistance in cured epoxy systems. The cycloaliphatic ring structure of Amivion IPDA eliminates aromatic chromophores, enabling coatings and flooring systems to retain color stability over extended UV exposure. Amivion IPDA is widely used in protective coatings, self-leveling industrial flooring, adhesives, civil engineering applications, and as a building block for specialty polyamides and polyurethane chain extension.
Amivion IPDA Overview
Amivion IPDA is the trade designation for isophoronediamine (IPDA), a difunctional primary amine derived from isophorone. Its molecular structure features two primary amine groups in differing steric environments: a primary aliphatic amine on the aminomethyl side chain and a primary cycloaliphatic amine on the saturated ring. This structural asymmetry gives the two functional groups distinct reactivity toward epoxy resins, providing formulators with additional control over pot life, curing rate, and crosslink network architecture. With a molecular weight of 170.3 g/mol and an amine hydrogen equivalent weight (AHEW) of 42.6 g/eq, it is suited for compact-stoichiometry formulations. The product is supplied as a clear, near-colorless liquid with a maximum color of 15 APHA, supporting transparent and lightly pigmented coating systems.
Key Features
- UV Stability and Color Retention: The cycloaliphatic ring in Amivion IPDA contains no aromatic chromophores, which are the primary cause of yellowing in aromatic amine-cured epoxy systems. Coatings and flooring systems formulated with this curing agent maintain aesthetic appearance and optical clarity during prolonged outdoor or UV-light exposure. This characteristic makes it a suitable choice for light-colored, transparent, or UV-exposed applications where long-term discoloration is unacceptable.
- Low Viscosity for Solventless Formulations: With a kinematic viscosity of 19 mm²/s, Amivion IPDA blends readily with epoxy resins at ambient temperature without requiring solvent addition. This property facilitates the preparation of high-solids or 100% solids coating and flooring systems, supporting VOC reduction goals and self-leveling flow behavior. The low viscosity also simplifies mixing and dispensing in two-component application equipment.
- High Purity for Consistent Cure Performance: Manufactured to a purity of ≥99.7%, with secondary and tertiary amine content held below 0.15% and aminonitrile content below 0.15%, the product supports reproducible pot life, gel time, and final mechanical properties from batch to batch. This level of purity reduces variability in production environments that depend on predictable cure profiles and minimal side reactions.
- Low Vapor Pressure for Reduced Inhalation Exposure: The vapor pressure at 20°C is 0.02 hPa, significantly lower than many widely used aliphatic polyamine curing agents such as diethylenetriamine or triethylenetetramine. This low volatility reduces amine vapor concentration in the workplace atmosphere during open mixing and application operations, contributing to a more favorable occupational exposure profile.
- Versatile Solubility and Formulation Compatibility: Miscible with water, alcohols, esters, ethers, ketones, and aliphatic, aromatic, and halogenated hydrocarbons, the product works across a wide range of epoxy resin types and formulation bases. Compatibility with diverse diluents, reactive modifiers, and epoxy adduct systems enables formulators to adjust working life and cure rate for specific end-use requirements.
Typical Applications
Amivion IPDA is used as a stoichiometric curing agent for bisphenol A and bisphenol F epoxy resins in both room-temperature and heat-accelerated curing systems. In self-leveling and trowelable industrial flooring, it contributes to high surface hardness, good chemical resistance to acids, alkalis, fuels, and organic solvents, and long-term color stability under warehouse lighting and indirect UV exposure. Its low viscosity at ambient temperature supports the formulation of thin-film coatings and self-leveling systems without the need to heat formulation components. When used in adduct form with epoxy resins, it extends the formulation window further and improves adhesion to damp substrates in civil engineering applications.
In infrastructure protection and civil engineering, Amivion IPDA is formulated into epoxy coatings and liners for concrete repair, bridge deck waterproofing, steel structure corrosion protection, and chemical containment systems. The cured network exhibits resistance to a wide range of aggressive chemicals commonly encountered in industrial and infrastructure environments. Beyond epoxy curing, it serves as a monomer for non-crystalline, optically transparent polyamides used in optical lenses and eyewear frames, as a chain extender in cast polyurethane elastomers, and as an intermediate in dye and polyurea synthesis. Adhesive and anchoring compound formulations also benefit from its good adhesion development and compatibility with reactive diluents.
Technical Specifications
- Chemical Type: Isophoronediamine (3-Aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylamine)
- CAS Number: 2855-13-2
- Molecular Weight: 170.3 g/mol
- AHEW (Active Hydrogen Equivalent Weight): 42.6 g/eq
- Amine Value: 660 mg KOH/g
- Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale liquid, max 15 APHA
- Purity: ≥99.7%
- Water Content: max 0.2 wt%
- Secondary/Tertiary Amine Content: <0.15%
- Viscosity at 25°C: 19 mm²/s (kinematic)
- Density at 20°C: 0.91 g/cm³
- Boiling Point: 253°C
- Flash Point: 117°C (open cup)
- Vapor Pressure at 20°C: 0.02 hPa
- Solidification Point: 8°C
Storage Recommendations
- Recommended maximum storage temperature: 25°C
- Shelf life: ≥1 year in original sealed containers under recommended conditions.
- The product is slightly hygroscopic and reacts with atmospheric CO₂ to form carbamates. Store in sealed containers protected from moisture and carbon dioxide ingress; nitrogen blanketing is recommended for partially used containers.
- Crystallizes below approximately 15°C. If crystallization occurs, warm the container to a maximum of 60°C until the product reliqueflies completely, then mix thoroughly before use. Do not use the product while it remains partially crystallized.
- Store away from strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, and isocyanates.
Packaging & Transport
- Standard Packaging: 25 kg cans, 180 kg drums
- Bulk supply: available upon request
- UN Number: To be confirmed based on the final specification sheet.
- Transport Classification: To be confirmed based on the final specification sheet.
Amivion IPDA: Safety & Handling
Amivion IPDA is a reactive amine and should be handled with appropriate personal protective equipment, including chemical-resistant gloves, protective eyewear, and adequate ventilation. Although its low vapor pressure reduces inhalation exposure risk relative to more volatile aliphatic amines, direct contact with skin and eyes must be avoided as the product is an irritant and sensitizer. Users are advised to review the Safety Data Sheet before handling and to implement the engineering controls and PPE specified therein. Particular attention should be given to the crystallization behavior: material that has solidified below 15°C must be fully reliquified and homogenized at up to 60°C before metering or dispensing.
Safety Data Sheet and destination-compliant transport labeling are available upon request. For complementary products in the Amivion curing agent range, see also Amivion DETA and Amivion PEA-22.