CYMEL® 385

CYMEL® 385 is a methylated high imino melamine resin with a low degree of alkylation. It is supplied in water and is recommended as a crosslinking agent for hydroxyl-containing emulsion polymers and other aqueous systems containing hydroxyl or amide functionality. Here are the key details:

Product Description: CYMEL® 385 resin is primarily used to increase the hardness and resistance properties of thermoplastic waterborne polymers. It exhibits a high tendency to self-condense.

Benefits:

• Very fast cure response
• Water soluble
• Low formaldehyde release

Application Areas:

• Emulsion topcoat systems
• Textile coatings
• Non-woven binders
• Microencapsulation

Physical Properties:

• Non-volatile by weight: 77-81%
• Viscosity at 25°C: 600-1000 mPa.s
• Free formaldehyde: ≤ 0.25%
• Color, APHA: ≤ 70

Solubility:

• Complete solubility in water
• Partial solubility in alcohols
• Insoluble in esters, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, and aliphatic hydrocarbons

Compatibility: CYMEL® 385 resin exhibits very good compatibility with water reducible polymers, polymer dispersions, and emulsions.

Backbone Polymer Selection: It contains a combination of methoxymethyl, methylol, and imino functionalities, making it effective for crosslinking backbone polymer resins containing hydroxyl, amide, and carboxyl functional groups, such as alkyd, polyester, or acrylic resins.

Catalysis: CYMEL® 385 resin may not require the addition of an acid catalyst in some formulations. However, if needed, recommended catalyst addition is 0.5 - 1.0% of CYCAT® 296-9 catalyst based on total resin solids.

Formulation Stability: A tertiary amine, such as dimethylethanolamine or triethylamine, should be used for neutralization and pH adjustment to ensure optimum stability.

Storage Stability: Shelf life of 180 days from the date of manufacture when stored at temperatures between 5°C and 32°C. Care should be taken to avoid freezing, as it can cause irreversible viscosity changes.

Safety and Handling: Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety, health, and environmental data.

Overall, CYMEL® 385 offers a versatile solution for enhancing the properties of waterborne polymers, particularly in applications where fast cure response and water solubility are desired.