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Usually, the ordinary epoxy resin we apply has a large viscosity at room temperature, and in practice we will reduce its viscosity to achieve the appropriate operating effect. Reducing the viscosity of epoxy resin by using a diluent is one of the most commonly used methods. The use of diluents in epoxy resins allows for better penetration of the resin when casting, better wettability when bonding, and also increases the amount of filler in the resin mixture.

The principles of the choice of diluent include can effectively reduce the viscosity of the resin; reduce the viscosity of the resin at the same time to meet the performance requirements of the resin curing material; low cost and as far as possible low toxicity or non-toxicity.

Benzyl alcohol has been commonly used as a diluent for epoxy resins. Benzyl Alcohol, abbreviated as BA, is a highly soluble, colourless, low viscosity liquid. Benzyl alcohol is the simplest fatty alcohol containing phenyl, colourless transparent liquid, polar, low toxicity, low vapour pressure, slightly soluble in water (4 g/100 mL), miscible with ethanol, ether, benzene chloroform and other organic solvents.

Advantages of benzyl alcohol for epoxy diluent

1. Epoxy resin curing agent 1,3-BAC, AEP, IPDA, D-230 and other modification of the necessary solvents.
2. The material itself is non-toxic (can be used for human injection reagents).
3. High boiling point, non-volatile, and after curing due to the strong polarity of benzyl alcohol, can be very compatible with the epoxy resin, there will be no migration phenomenon.
4. Benzyl alcohol can promote the reaction between epoxy resin and amine, speed up the reaction speed.
5. Benzyl alcohol has good hydrophobic properties, can significantly improve the gloss of the coating, reduce the phenomenon of whitening.
6. Benzyl alcohol can improve the toughness of the curing material.

Benzyl alcohol typical data

Appearance: colourless transparent liquid

Refractive index: 1.538-1.541

Benzyl alcohol in the use of matters needing attention

• Benzyl alcohol needs to be kept away from light, otherwise it will turn yellow and other phenomena.
• It can be used in epoxy resin/amine curing system, not in epoxy resin/acid anhydride system.
• Control the amount of addition, because the addition of benzyl alcohol will reduce the mechanical properties of the cured material, solvent resistance and chemical resistance, so need to be determined according to actual requirements.
• The proportion of addition according to the actual requirements, in addition, benzyl alcohol can significantly improve the curing speed, so this point needs to be considered.