Technology

The increasing environment protection regulations and limiting the VOC levels are pushing the coating formulators to develop high solids or solvent free coatings which are application friendly, less polluting and durable. There is also a need to develop coatings that can cure at very low temperature, even sometimes subzero temperatures.

Phenol-Formaldehyde-Amine condensates or Mannich bases gained considerable importance due to its fast curing mechanism at low temperatures. These Hardeners are less susceptible to carbonation. Over the years, different Phenolic compounds have been used. However, due to REACH regulation, there is a restriction on the use of some of the Phenolic Compounds.

Cardanol, a naturally available phenolic compound has, therefore, got a wide recognition for making Mannich bases which are commonly known as Phenalkamines.

Cardanol is a distillation product of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL). It is extracted from Cashew Nut shells and is abundantly available in coastal areas of India. Cardanol is a wonderful “green” raw material with Phenol hydroxyl group and C15H27 long aliphatic side chain in the meta position. The long chain contains monoene, diene and triene derivatives. The various functionalities in Cardanol can be used conveniently to make a number of useful products which may be safe to use and environmentally friendly.

Admark has developed Phenakamines and other Mannich base hardeners with low viscosities and high solids or solvent free, which helps the formulator to develop low VOC compositions. These hardeners also offer versatile properties like excellent flexibility, salt water and chemical resistance, moisture insensitiveness, fast cure at low temperatures and longer pot life.