Hycat™ AC-4

Epoxy Anhydride Catalyst

Hycat™ AC-4 is a low viscosity liquid catalyst designed to accelerate the reaction of a broad range of epoxy resins with a wide variety of anhydride curing agents. Launched in 2016, Hycat™ AC-4 dramatically reduces the onset temperature of an epoxy/anhydride reaction. However like Hycat™ 3100S, when compared to other catalyst systems the curing kinetics of Hycat™ AC-4 yield a much more gradual exothermic profile. This distinctive curing characteristic allows for quicker gel times at lower temperatures without inducing an overly rapid cure or sudden spike in the exotherm of a polymer reaction. In addition, despite lower onset temperatures, Hycat™ AC-4 still provides excellent room temperature pot life (25oC). These unique features combine to greatly enhance process flexibility and produce polymer cures of exceptional quality.

DSC Kinetic Rx Profile

Typical kinetic profile of an epoxy/anhydride reaction catalyzed by Hycat™ AC-4. Click on the PDF links at the bottom of this page for the complete view of this and other reaction profiles.

Co-Catalyst Anhydride Curing

Hycat™ AC-4 can be used as a co-catalyst, taking full advantage of its low onset capabilities and latent curing kinetics to initiate the polymer reaction while the addition of an imidazole or amine catalyst can boost glass transition and other physical properties during post cure. Hycat™ AC-4 is compatible with a number of popular imidazole and amine catalysts and depending upon the co-catalyst of choice a customized blend may be available.  Click on the PDF links at the bottom of this page for the complete view of this and other reaction profiles.

Commercial Applications:

Composite Parts
Filament Winding
Pultrusion
Potting & Encapsulation
Reinforced Plastics
Resin Infusion
Sheet Moulding Composites
Wet & Spray Layup
And More….

Industries:

Aerospace
Automotive & Transportation
Clean Energy (Windmill Fabrication)
Coatings
Construction
Electronics
Sports & Leisure
And More…

Hycat™ AC-4 Physical Properties

Form…………................…...
Color……………................…
Viscosity (cP)……...............
Density………...............……
Shelf Life…..............…….…

Liquid
Emerald Green
< 500cp
1.0g/mL @ 25°C
3 Years

Available Quantities

200L Drums…………..…….
50L Drums……………..……
20L Pails…………………..….
Evaluation Samples…..…

200 Kgs (441 Lbs)
50 Kgs (110 Lbs)
20 Kgs (44 Lbs)
60g (2 oz)

Typical Loading

0.75% - 1.5% by total resin weight

Data Links

Hycat™ AC-4 in MTHPA/BADGEHycat™ AC-4 in MTHPA/Cycloaliphatic   Hycat™ AC-4 in MTHPA/NOVOLAC

Anhydride Reactions Catalyzed by Hycat™ AC-4 Include: Hexahydrophthalic Anhydride (HHPA), Methylhexahydropthalic Anhydride (MHHPA), Methyltetrahydrophthalic Anhydride (MTHPA), Nadic Methyl Anhydride (NMA), Maleic Anhydride (MA), Phthalic Anhydride (PA) and more. Typical epoxides include Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether (BADGE), Bisphenol F Diglycidyl Ether (BFDGE), Cycloaliphatic Diepoxide, NOVOLAC, Tetrafunctional Methylene Dianiline and more.