Reactive diluents play a crucial role in the fields of radiation cured coatings, inks, adhesives, and photosensitive resin plates. They can not only reduce the viscosity of the system and improve construction performance, but also participate in polymerization reactions and become a part of the cured material. Neopentyl glycol diacrylate (NPGDA), as a bifunctional active diluent, performs well in these applications.
Neopentyl glycol diacrylate (NPGDA) has two acrylate functional groups, which allows it to react with two molecular segments simultaneously in the polymerization reaction, forming a cross-linked structure. This bifunctional property is an important basis for the use of neopentyl glycol diacrylate as an active diluent.
Neopentyl glycol diacrylate
The chemical structure of neopentyl glycol diacrylate (NPGDA) consists of two acrylate groups and one neopentyl glycol ester group. The structural characteristic of NPGDA lies in its dual functionality, which contains two acrylate groups that can participate in free radical polymerization reactions and form cross-linked structures. Meanwhile, the neopentyl glycol ester group (derived from 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol) provides a stable skeletal structure for the molecule.
The appearance of neopentyl glycol diacrylate is a colorless or light yellow transparent oily liquid. It is soluble in organic solvents such as low-carbon alcohols and aromatic hydrocarbons, but insoluble in water. This characteristic enables it to mix well with other organic components during the preparation of coatings, inks, and other processes. NPGDA, as a bifunctional functional monomer, has good compatibility with acrylic prepolymers and is characterized by strong dilution, good wear resistance, and scratch resistance. It also has high reactivity and can form polymer compounds through free radical polymerization with other monomers or prepolymers.
NPGDA needs to maintain a certain level of stability during storage and use to avoid unnecessary polymerization reactions or decomposition. Therefore, when storing NPGDA, attention should be paid to avoiding light, heat, and contact with strong oxidants and other substances.
Applocation of Neopentyl glycol diacrylate (NPGDA)
Neopentyl glycol diacrylate (NPGDA) is a versatile and highly reactive acrylate monomer widely used in various industrial applications due to its excellent chemical and physical properties. Its primary applications include UV-curable coatings, inks, adhesives, and 3D printing resins, where it plays a critical role in enhancing performance and durability.
- In UV-curable coatings, NPGDA is valued for its fast curing speed and ability to form highly crosslinked networks. This results in coatings with exceptional hardness, scratch resistance, and chemical stability. These properties make it ideal for use in automotive coatings, industrial finishes, and protective layers for electronic devices. Its low viscosity also allows for easy formulation and application, ensuring smooth and even coatings.
- In the printing industry, NPGDA is a key component of UV-curable inks. It provides excellent adhesion to various substrates, including plastics, metals, and paper, while delivering vibrant colors and durable prints. Its fast curing under UV light enables high-speed printing processes, making it suitable for packaging, labels, and commercial printing.
- NPGDA is also widely used in adhesives, particularly in UV-curable formulations. It offers strong bonding strength, rapid curing, and resistance to environmental factors such as moisture and heat. These characteristics make it suitable for applications in electronics, medical devices, and automotive assembly, where reliable and durable adhesives are essential.
- In the rapidly growing field of 3D printing, NPGDA is a popular choice for photopolymer resins. Its high reactivity and low shrinkage during curing ensure precise and stable prints, making it ideal for creating detailed prototypes, functional parts, and dental or medical models. Its ability to produce tough, durable materials further expands its utility in additive manufacturing.
- Overall, NPGDA’s unique combination of reactivity, durability, and versatility makes it a valuable material in industries requiring high-performance, fast-curing, and environmentally friendly solutions.
Propoxylate neopentylene glycol diacrylate
Propoxylate neopentylene glycol diacrylate (2PO-NPGDA), also known as NEOPENTYL GLYCOL PROPOXYLATE DIACRYLATE or neopentyl glycol polyethylene oxide diacrylate. It is usually a colorless or light yellow transparent liquid, easily soluble in organic solvents such as low-carbon alcohols and aromatic hydrocarbons, and insoluble in water.
Propylene oxide neopentyl glycol diacrylate can be regarded as introducing a propoxy chain segment through some means (such as etherification reaction) on the basis of neopentyl glycol diacrylate. This introduction changes the chain length and flexibility of the original molecule, thereby affecting its physical and chemical properties. Like NPGDA, 2PO-NPGDA also contains neopentyl glycol as the core skeleton and is connected to two acrylate groups, which gives it bifunctional properties and the ability to participate in free radical polymerization reactions.
2PO-NPGDA, as a modified version of NPGDA, inherits many excellent properties of NPGDA, and due to the introduction of propoxy groups, 2PO-NPGDA has more advantages than NPGDA.
- Lower viscosity: The introduction of propoxy segments increases the chain length and flexibility of the molecule, thereby reducing the viscosity of 2PO-NPGDA. This makes it easier to mix with other components when used as a diluent or additive, improving processing performance.
- Lower skin irritancy: In some cases, the introduction of propoxy groups helps to reduce the irritation of compounds to the skin, improving safety and comfort of use.
- Higher reactivity: Although the introduction of propoxy groups does not necessarily directly increase reactivity, it indirectly affects reaction rate by altering the spatial configuration of molecules and the accessibility of reaction sites. In addition, the propoxy chain segment may interact with other components, promoting the reactivity of the entire system.
Conclusion
Propoxylate neopentylene glycol diacrylate, as a modified product of neopentyl glycol diacrylate, exhibits more advantages while maintaining its original excellent properties. There are certain differences between the two in terms of chemical structure, physical properties, chemical properties, and application fields. When choosing which compound to use, it is necessary to make the selection based on specific application requirements and performance requirements. Meanwhile, attention should also be paid to the storage and usage conditions of the product to ensure its stability and safety in terms of performance.
