Phenalkamine
Encyclopedia
Phenalkamines are a distinct range of natural epoxy curing agents that provide very fast cure, even at low temperatures (<40 °F or 5 °C), with a good workable pot life. They have excellent resistance to moisture
during cure, and offer good chemical resistance, and flexibility. These unique properties make them an excellent choice for marine and offshore coatings, solvent-free industrial floor coatings, railcar and agricultural/construction equipment coatings, portable water coatings, and tank and pipe linings. They are also used for adhesive
, automobile, and electrical potting applications.
Phenalkamines are synthesized from CNSL (Cashew nutshell liquid
). This viscous reddish brown coloured liquid is derived from the shell of cashew (Cashew Tree, Anacardium occidentale L). Crude CNSL is one of the major sources of naturally occurring non-isoprenoid phenolic lipids such as anacardic acid
s, cardols, cardanol
s, methylcardols and polymeric materials. Royce International Corp. and Cardolite Corporation are major manufacturers of Phenalkamine Curing Agents.
Moisture
Humidity is the amount of moisture the air can hold before it rains. Moisture refers to the presence of a liquid, especially water, often in trace amounts...
during cure, and offer good chemical resistance, and flexibility. These unique properties make them an excellent choice for marine and offshore coatings, solvent-free industrial floor coatings, railcar and agricultural/construction equipment coatings, portable water coatings, and tank and pipe linings. They are also used for adhesive
Adhesive
An adhesive, or glue, is a mixture in a liquid or semi-liquid state that adheres or bonds items together. Adhesives may come from either natural or synthetic sources. The types of materials that can be bonded are vast but they are especially useful for bonding thin materials...
, automobile, and electrical potting applications.
Phenalkamines are synthesized from CNSL (Cashew nutshell liquid
Cashew nutshell liquid
The cashew nutshell liquid or cashew shell oil is a natural resin found in the honeycomb structure of the cashew nutshell. It consists of about 90% anacardic acids and 10% cardol...
). This viscous reddish brown coloured liquid is derived from the shell of cashew (Cashew Tree, Anacardium occidentale L). Crude CNSL is one of the major sources of naturally occurring non-isoprenoid phenolic lipids such as anacardic acid
Anacardic acid
Anacardic acids are chemical compounds found in the shell of the cashew nut . As they are closely related to urushiol, they also cause an allergic skin rash on contact, known as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. Anacardic acid is a yellow liquid. It is miscible partially in alcohol and ether,...
s, cardols, cardanol
Cardanol
Cardanol is a phenol obtained from anacardic acid, the main component of cashew nutshell liquid , a byproduct of cashew nut processing. Cardanol finds use in the chemical industry in resins, coatings, frictional materials, and surfactants used as pigment dispersants for water-based inks...
s, methylcardols and polymeric materials. Royce International Corp. and Cardolite Corporation are major manufacturers of Phenalkamine Curing Agents.