Amivion DETA is diethylenetriamine (CAS 111-40-0), a low molecular weight aliphatic polyamine used as a reactive epoxy curing agent and chemical intermediate. Amivion DETA contains two primary amine end groups and one secondary amine in the backbone, providing five active hydrogen atoms per molecule and a high amine functionality relative to molecular weight. This combination of high nitrogen content, low viscosity, and fast reactivity with epoxide groups makes Amivion DETA a reference hardener for ambient-temperature and elevated-temperature epoxy curing in coatings, adhesives, construction, and industrial maintenance applications. As a versatile building-block amine, Amivion DETA also serves as a chemical intermediate for polyamide, chelating agent, and specialty amine synthesis.
Amivion DETA Overview
Amivion DETA is produced by the condensation of ethylene oxide with ammonia followed by further amination steps, yielding a linear triamine. The presence of two primary amines and one secondary amine gives the molecule an active hydrogen equivalent weight (AHEW) of approximately 20.6 g/eq, one of the lowest among common aliphatic polyamine curing agents. The short molecular chain and high amine group density result in a densely crosslinked epoxy network when Amivion DETA is cured with standard bisphenol A or bisphenol F liquid epoxy resins. This network structure provides high chemical resistance and good mechanical strength, though formulation with reactive diluents or tougheners is often considered to balance brittleness in demanding structural applications.
Key Features
- High Amine Functionality per Unit Mass: Amivion DETA provides five active hydrogen atoms within a molecular weight of 103 g/mol, delivering one of the highest amine equivalent densities among commodity polyamine hardeners. This high functionality allows effective crosslinking of epoxy resins at relatively low hardener loadings, which is useful in formulations where minimizing hardener contribution to viscosity or cost is a priority.
- Fast Ambient-Temperature Reactivity: The primary amine groups in the molecule react rapidly with epoxide rings at room temperature, enabling fast gel time and cure development without external heating in many standard epoxy formulations. This characteristic supports applications such as industrial maintenance coatings, civil engineering grouts, and repair adhesives where pot life and through-cure at ambient temperature are important processing parameters.
- Good Chemical and Solvent Resistance of Cured Films: Epoxy systems cured with aliphatic polyamines of this type typically exhibit good resistance to a range of industrial chemicals, dilute acids, alkalis, and hydrocarbon solvents after full cure is achieved. These resistance properties underpin the use of DETA-type cured epoxy systems in floor coatings, tank linings, pipe coatings, and secondary containment applications where chemical exposure is a service requirement.
- Versatility as Chemical Intermediate: Beyond direct use as an epoxy curing agent, Amivion DETA serves as a key intermediate in the synthesis of polyamide resins, chelating agents such as EDTA and DTPA, imidazolines, and fabric softener actives. Its reactivity with carboxylic acids, acrylic esters, and carbonyl compounds enables derivatization into a broad range of specialty amine products for performance chemicals and agrochemical applications.
- Low Viscosity for Easy Handling: Amivion DETA is a low-viscosity liquid at ambient temperature, facilitating accurate weighing, metering, and mixing in both manual and automated dispensing operations. The low viscosity allows incorporation into low-VOC waterborne and solventless epoxy formulation systems without the need for dilution solvents, supporting coatings and adhesive systems formulated to meet environmental regulatory requirements.
Typical Applications
Amivion DETA is used as a hardener component in two-part epoxy systems cured at ambient or moderately elevated temperatures. In protective coatings for concrete and steel, DETA-type curing agents contribute to fast cure schedules and good early chemical resistance, which are important in industrial maintenance and new construction projects with tight schedules. Amivion DETA is also evaluated in formulations for civil engineering applications including crack injection grouts, anchoring systems, and structural repair mortars where rapid strength development and adhesion to substrates such as concrete, masonry, and steel are required.
Additional end uses include adhesive formulations for bonding metal, composite, and ceramic substrates in industrial assembly; floor coating and self-levelling screed systems for warehouses, production facilities, and commercial buildings; tank and pipe lining systems for chemical storage and water treatment infrastructure; and reactive chemical intermediate applications in the production of polyamide curing agents, chelating agents such as EDTA and DTPA, fabric conditioners, and agricultural chemical intermediates. Amivion DETA is further used in the synthesis of ethyleneamine derivatives and specialty amines for oilfield, paper, and textile chemical sectors, where the combination of low cost, high reactivity, and functional versatility makes this class of aliphatic polyamine a widely referenced starting material.
Technical Specifications
- Chemical Type: Diethylenetriamine (DETA)
- CAS No.: 111-40-0
- Molecular Weight: 103.16 g/mol
- Active Hydrogen Equivalent Weight (AHEW): ~20.6 g/eq
- Amine Value: To be confirmed based on the final specification sheet.
- Appearance: Clear to light yellow liquid
- Density at 20 degrees C: ~0.954 g/cm3
- Viscosity at 25 degrees C: ~10-13 mPas
- Boiling Point: 207 degrees C
- Flash Point (closed cup): ~99 degrees C
- Water Content: To be confirmed based on the final specification sheet.
Storage Recommendations
- Recommended maximum storage temperature: To be confirmed based on the final specification sheet.
- Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
- Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent CO2 absorption and moisture uptake.
- Avoid contact with strong acids, strong oxidizing agents, and reactive carbonyl compounds.
Packaging & Transport
- Standard Packaging: To be confirmed based on the final specification sheet.
- UN Number: UN 2079
- Transport Class: Class 8 (Corrosive), Packing Group II
Amivion DETA: Safety & Handling
Amivion DETA is a corrosive substance that causes skin burns and serious eye damage upon contact, and respiratory and mucous membrane irritation upon inhalation of vapors or mists. It may also cause skin sensitization following repeated exposure. Personal protective equipment including chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles or face shield, and protective clothing must be worn during handling. Work areas must be adequately ventilated to maintain airborne amine concentrations below occupational exposure limits. Amivion DETA should not be used in confined or poorly ventilated spaces without supplied-air respiratory protection.
Safety Data Sheet and destination-compliant labeling information are available upon request. For related products, see also Amivion TEPA and Amivion AEEA.