Cardolite Phenalkamine Curing Agents, Polyols and Modifiers

Selection and quotation of Cardolite CNSL-based materials: phenalkamine and phenalkamide epoxy curing agents, waterborne curing agents, diluents and resins, polyols and diols, NX-2026 cardanol.

Solvent-Free Phenalkamine Curing Agents

Cardolite phenalkamines are bio-based Mannich-type epoxy curing agents made from CNSL. They cure even below 0 °C and resist water and saltwater exposure. The solvent-free range includes NC-541, NC-558, NX-5454 and the light color grades LITE 2001 and LITE 2002.

LITE 2002: 450 cPs, AHEW 104
NC-541: low temperature cure
NX-5454: dry hard in 2 h at 25 °C
NC-558: adhesion to unprepared substrates

Phenalkamine Adducts for Fast Cure

Phenalkamine adducts are engineered for fast cure in medium- and high-solids formulations. NX-5050 has 80% solids at 770 cPs, LITE 5262 contains no more than 5% solvent for low VOC coatings, and NC-562 with 65% solids offers good blush resistance and adhesion.

NX-5050: 80% solids, 770 cPs
LITE 5262: max 5% solvent, low VOC
NC-562: 65% solids, AHEW 174
NX-5444: dry hard in 1.5 h at 25 °C

LITE 3000 Phenalkamides to Replace Polyamides

Phenalkamides fill the gap between polyamide and phenalkamine technologies by chemically combining the two. LITE 3000 is the first generation grade with 70% solids, LITE 3005 directly replaces high MW polyamides, and solvent-free LITE 3060 and LITE 3070 run at 850 cPs.

LITE 3000: 70% solids, AHEW 256
LITE 3005: replaces high MW polyamides
LITE 3060: solvent-free, 850 cPs
LITE 3070: long pot life, AHEW 107

Ultra LITE Modified Amines and NT Polyamides

CNSL modified cycloaliphatic Ultra LITE amines give light color coatings with improved weathering resistance: Ultra LITE 2009 has Gardner color 1 and 330 cPs in benzyl alcohol. NT polyamides are based on dimer and oleic acids, from low viscosity NT-1545 to high MW NT-1515.

Ultra LITE 2009: Gardner color 1
Ultra LITE 2009SF: solvent-free, AHEW 62
NT-1542: 40,000 cPs, AHEW 103
NT-1545: 3,000 cPs, AHEW 103

NX-8000 Waterborne Curing Agents

Cardolite waterborne curing agents for epoxy coatings come as solution and emulsion types for anticorrosion primers, self-levelers and midcoats. The range includes cosolvent-free grades supplied in water and glycol-based options for zinc-rich primers.

NX-8101: 50% in water, AHEW 270
NX-8401: emulsion, 55% in water
NX-8509: cure at low temperatures
NX-8538: 80% in water, AHEW 150

Epoxy Diluents, Modifiers and Resins

Cardanol-based reactive diluents reduce viscosity for low and zero VOC formulations while improving flexibility and water resistance. NC-513 is the standard monofunctional grade and Ultra LITE 513 is lighter. NC-514 and LITE 514HP replace Bisphenol A resins, NC-547 is a novolac.

NC-513: monofunctional reactive diluent
LITE 513DF: diluent and modifier
NC-514: alternative to Bisphenol A
NC-547: cardanol epoxy novolac resin

NX-9000 Polyols and Diols for Polyurethanes

CNSL polyols and diols serve polyurethane coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers and foam. NX-9001 has a typical OH value of 175 mg KOH/g, NX-9101 to NX-9103 Mannich polyols target rigid spray foam, and the NX-9201 polyester diol resists water, acid and alkali.

NX-9001: OH value 175 mg KOH/g
NX-9101: Mannich polyol, OH 420
NX-9201: polyester diol, OH 72
LITE 9006: protective coatings, OH 175

NX-2026 Cardanol and Isocyanate Blocking

Cardanol is the main component of distilled CNSL. NX-2026 is a high purity cardanol used as an isocyanate blocking agent in polyurethane prepolymers: with TDI it deblocks at 115 °C versus 164 °C for phenol. NX-2025 and Ultra LITE 2023 differ in color, NC-510 is hydrogenated.

NX-2026 with TDI: deblocks at 115 °C
NX-2025: low odor, high purity cardanol
Ultra LITE 2023: Gardner color 1
NC-510: melting range 49–51 °C

Choosing a Phenalkamine by Cure Conditions

The manufacturer table gives dry hard times at 25 and 5 °C: NX-5454 dries hard in 2 and 7.5 h, NX-5594 in 2.5 and 8 h, NC-558 in 10 and 27 h. NX-5653 and NX-6654 give very fast hardness development at low temperature with no free phenol.

NX-5594 with AHEW 76 offers cathodic disbondment resistance, and phenalkamines in general adhere to wet or poorly prepared surfaces. NX-5607 (2,490 cPs) is listed for fast bond strength development in adhesives, and NX-5619 (425 cPs) for room temperature cure with high bio-content.

Replacing a Polyamide with a Phenalkamide

The manufacturer positions LITE 3005 with 70% solids and AHEW 256 as a direct replacement of high MW and viscosity polyamides.

Solvent-free LITE 3025 (34,000 cPs, AHEW 103) replaces standard medium MW polyamides such as NT-1542 (40,000 cPs, AHEW 103) with faster dry time, hardness development and improved UV resistance.

LITE 3008 is a low cost alternative to high molecular weight polyamide curing agents at 5,000 cPs at 50 °C and AHEW 190. The resin to hardener ratio is recalculated by AHEW.

Choosing a Polyol by OH Value

Typical OH values of Cardolite polyols and diols range from 55 to 475 mg KOH/g. The NX-9212 polyether diol (OH 55, 450 cPs) is intended for prepolymer making, the NX-9201 polyester diol (OH 72) for coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers and flexible foam, and NX-9001 (OH 175) also for rigid foam.

NX-9008 (OH 340) with high Tg serves adhesives and sealants, while NX-9101 to NX-9103 Mannich polyols (OH 420 to 475) target rigid spray foam. NX-9004 is the EU REACH compliant version of NX-5285.

Deblocking Isocyanates with NX-2026 Cardanol

Deblock temperatures of NX-2026 prepolymers in the manufacturer table: TDI 115 °C (phenol 164 °C), MDI 145 °C (phenol 204 °C), HMDI 155 °C and IPDI 130 °C. Blocked prepolymers enable 1K polyurethane systems with lower free isocyanate content, improved storage stability and reduced moisture sensitivity.

They are used in liquid epoxy, powder and coil coatings, wire insulation and other heat-cured protective finishes, and in epoxy-amine hybrid adhesives.

Cardolite and model names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the equipment for which we source parts. SpareX is not an official dealer, distributor or representative of Cardolite and is not affiliated with the trademark owner. Origin, documents and warranty are stated for each item in the quotation.