Waterborne Epoxy Resin
Paint chemicals 2025-03-21
Performance Features
Anti-corrosion, water resistance, fast-drying, high hardness, inter-layer adhesion
Waterborne Epoxy Resin: Overview and Key Properties
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Chemical Type | Epoxy resin dispersion in water |
| Dispersion Type | Anionic/nonionic |
| Epoxy Equivalent Weight (EEW) | 400–1.500 g/eq |
| Key Feature | Low VOC, high corrosion resistance |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Solid Content | 40–60% |
| Viscosity (25°C) | 100–1.000 mPa·s |
| pH | 6.0–8.5 |
| Particle Size | 100–500 nm |
| Density | 1.05–1.15 g/cm³ |
Curing Systems
| Curing Agent | Cure Conditions | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Waterborne Amine | 5–30°C, 24–72 hrs | Low-temperature cure |
| Polyamide | 10–40°C, 12–48 hrs | Flexible films |
| Phenalkamine | 0–25°C, 8–24 hrs | Moisture tolerance |
Applications
| Industry | Use Case | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Coatings | Metal protection | Salt spray >1.000 hrs |
| Flooring | Concrete sealers | Chemical resistance |
| Automotive | Primer coatings | Adhesion to multiple substrates |
| Marine | Ship hull coatings | Water immersion resistance |
Formulation Components
| Component | Function | Typical % |
|---|---|---|
| Resin Dispersion | Base material | 60–80% |
| Curing Agent | Crosslinking | 20–40% |
| Coalescent | Film formation | 2–5% |
| Corrosion Inhibitors | Metal protection | 1–3% |
Performance Advantages
| Feature | Comparative Benefit |
|---|---|
| VOC Content | <50 g/L vs. >300 g/L (solvent-borne) |
| Adhesion (Wet) | ASTM D4541 >4 MPa |
| Recoatability | Intercoat adhesion without sanding |
Safety & Handling
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Flash Point | Non-flammable |
| Storage | 6–12 months @ 5–30°C |
| Freeze-Thaw Stability | 3–5 cycles |
Market Data
| Segment | Market Share | Growth (CAGR) |
|---|---|---|
| Protective Coatings | 50% | 7.8% |
| Flooring | 30% | 6.5% |
| Automotive | 20% | 8.2% |
Comparison with Solvent-borne Epoxy
| Property | Waterborne | Solvent-borne |
|---|---|---|
| VOC Emission | 85% lower | High |
| Cure Speed | Slower | Faster |
| Film Build | Thinner per coat | Higher build |
Key Benefits and Limitations
| Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Environmentally compliant | Longer curing in humid conditions |
| Easy water cleanup | Higher cost than conventional epoxies |
| Safe for confined spaces | Requires precise mixing ratios |
Summary
Waterborne epoxy resins combine environmental benefits with robust protective properties, making them ideal for industrial and architectural applications where VOC compliance is critical.

