Beckopox EP 304 Epoxy resin Solutia Epoxide (EP) BECKOPOX Epoxy resin dispersions and water-soluble hardeners The BECKOPOX family of epoxy resin dispersions and water-soluble hardeners can be used as primers, sealers, curing compounds and topcoats in a wide range of applications in the protection of structures and equipment. What makes BECKOPOX particularly attractive is its ability to deliver exceptional performance and value with a low volatile organic compound (VOC) formulation (< 250 grams per liter of VOC). Uses The BECKOPOX proprietary dispersant system for liquid resins produces a small particle size dispersion (less than one micron on average) that does not migrate from the paint film. This results in exceptional stability, convenient viscosity and excellent performance features that make BECKOPOX particularly useful in the following applications: Industrial Maintenance Coatings BECKOPOX industrial maintenance coating formulations provide high gloss finishes that meet or exceed the performance of solvent-borne epoxies in gloss, adhesion, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance and impact strength. BECKOPOX based topcoat and primer starting formulations provide 2000 hours of salt fog and humidity resistance in applications such as general industrial maintenance auto refinish and shop primers. In direct-to-metal topcoat formulations, 2 mil BECKOPOX formulation provides over 1000 hours of salt fog and humidity resistance on phosphated steel. Drying and curing times are betterthan expected from other epoxy dispersions. Institutional Maintenance/Architectural Coatings BECKOPOX epoxy dispersions, when used with carboxy functional acrylic emulsions, produce institutional maintenance and high-performance architectural coatings that provide superior gloss and performance characteristics when compared to other dispersion systems. In applications such as schools and hospitals, its low odor, low VOC, fast drying time and quick development of physical properties offer easy application and allow the painted area to be back in service with minimum down time. Concrete Primers and Topcoats Concrete and masonry primers and topcoats formulated with BECKOPOX epoxy resins and curing agents provide floors, structures and facades with exceptional resistance to corrosive chemicals, staining and abrasion. BECKOPOX primers can be applied directly to wet concrete (usually just four hours after pouring), with no loss of adhesion — resulting in significant time, labor and material savings. The prime coat can usually be followed within one hour with a water-based topcoat. In addition, BECKOPOX formulations can be applied at temperatures near freezing, while most competitive products require minimum temperatures of 50 degrees F. The water-based BECKOPOX coatings offer excellent adhesion, fast drying, high coverage rate, smooth flow and leveling and excellent lapping. Coatings formulated with BECKOPOX resins have been found to be easier to manufacture in true production conditions. Performance Advantages The low VOC BECKOPOX formulations have several high performance characteristics: High gloss Excellent color acceptance Excellent in-can stability (pot life of up to nine hours) Low temperature application (down to freezing temperatures) Excellent chemical and physical properties Fast drying and curing Easy, economical application Reproducible, trouble free manufacture and handling of epoxy dispersion Low odor BECKOPOX® EP 304/100% X Type 4 solid epoxy resin Resin powder coatings, epoxy resin esters, baking paints and primers with high chemical resistance 100% small pieces Beckopox EP 304 is an unmodified epoxy resin with a medium melting range, used mainly in the manufacture of epoxy fatty acid esters. It can also be employed in combination with amino resins to produce high impact resistant baking enamels and baking primers with good stability against chemicals as well as high impact and corrosion resistance, depending on the choice of hardener. Powder Coatings In addition, Beckopox EP 304 is used by itself or in combination with Beckopox EP 301 to produce epoxy powder coatings and in combination with carboxyl functional polyesters in the production of so-called mixed powder coatings. The epoxy resin proportion, which depends on the target range of coating properties, is 50-30% by weight, relative to the binder mixture. Curing with Isocyanates In some special cases it may be of interest to use Beckopox EP 304 even as a combination partner with other resins in a two-component system using isocyanate for cross-linking. The hydroxyl value of Beckopox EP 304 100% as supplied is approx. 190 representing a hydroxyl content of approx. 5.7%. Epoxy Fatty Acid Esters Beckopox EP 304 is largely free of alkalis. As a result, esterification-catalysts should be added to the resin before esterification. It is an advantage first to heat the fatty acid alone up to 100 °C while it is being stirred and then to admix the epoxy resin in several portions at this temperature, each portion being dissolved before the next is added. When the entire epoxy resin is dissolved, the mass is heated to the esterification temperature, which is between 230 °C and 280 °C, then maintained at this level until the acid value is between 10 and 3. It is recommended that the reaction should be carried out under inert gas, especially in the esterification of unsaturated fatty acids. Starting from an acid value of 15 it is an advantage for esterification to be supported by a vacuum. The best film properties are achieved if the esterification is carried out as completely as possible, i.e. if the acid value is as low as possible. The level of the esterification temperature depends partly on the tendency of the fatty acids to polymerize. In the case of conjugated unsaturated fatty acids such as dehydrated castor oil fatty acid, work is carried out for safety's sake at temperatures between 230 °C and 240 °C with an addition of 100-300 ppm Na2CO3, calcium or zinc naphthenate or zirconium octoate (based on the total mixture) to prevent any undesired increase in viscosity or gelling of the mixture by polymerization of the fatty acid. Low viscosities are also obtained by adding 2-5 % xylene to the mixture and azeotropic dehydration under flowing inert gas (e.g. nitrogen). The water vapor that forms is ducted off and oxidation by the oxygen in the air prevented. Unmodified solid epoxy resin. Possesses medium melting range. Provides high impact resistance, good stability against chemicals and high impact and corrosion resistance. Can be used as a combination partner with other resins in a two component system using isocyanate for cross-linking. Offers high gloss, very good color acceptance, in-can stability, low temperature application, very good chemical and physical properties, fast drying and curing, easy and economical application, low odor, low VOC and good impact strength.