A nonyl-phenol ALERT

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Paul Oman, MS, MBA - Progressive Epoxy Polymers, Inc.

Member: NACE (National Assoc. of Corrosion Engineers), SSPC (Soc. of Protective Coatings)

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Nonyl Phenol is a common additive in many epoxies. Unfortunately is is often used by vendors, both to ‘water down' their epoxies with an inexpensive solvent-free additive that increases the volume of epoxy thereby lowering its price (or increasing their mark-up!). Epoxies containing nonyl aren't 'bad', but certainly epoxies without nonyl phenol added to them are a more pure epoxy with more of the good properties associated with epoxy - chemical resistance, temperature resistance, etc. - (much like pure whiskey vs. water-down whiskey - both will get you drunk, but which would you rather buy?).

It is generally better to use an epoxy without nonyl phenol, and I would pay more for the better quality, but I wouldn't let that be my only criteria because it is not a MAJOR - MAJOR big issue. However, if I was paying big dollars for my epoxy - say over $60 or $60 or $70 per gallon, I would be disappointed if that pricey epoxy contained a lot cheap 'filler' nonyl.

Nonyl can be added to either Part A or Part B of the epoxy, but it is usually added to the Part B first. The only way a user can sometimes determine if his epoxy uses nonyl is to check the MSDS (material data safety sheet) for both Part A and Part B. Note that while most epoxy vendors list (with hazy percentages) the ingredients in their epoxy, technically only hazardous materials need to be listed, so a vendor could get away without listing nonyl, even if they use it. If they don't list nonyl and don't list percentages (i.e. the MSDS for curing agent Part B lists "AMINE" but no percentages - you cannot really tell, but you might suspect the worst - lost of unlisted nonyl phenol).

Facts about Nonyl-Phenol

1) lowers viscosity

2) inexpensive - under $1 per pound (about 9 pounds equals 1 gallon) used to lower manufacturing costs and increase vendors' profits

3) compatible with both base and cure/hardener so useful in adjusting mix ratio to simple whole numbers (i.e. 2:1 etc.)

4) useful as a low cost accelerator

5) slightly lowers the epoxy's chemical and physical properties

6) creates some potentially useful properties when used with Part B curing agents that are a blend of different curing agents.

How Much Nonyl-Phenol?

Because it does have useful properties, adjusting mix ratios, adjusting viscosity, adjusting potlife, etc. - an epoxy with a small amount of nonyl isn't necessarily a "watered down rip-off". How much is OK and how much is excessive? Very hard to say - 10% -15% would be my guess. We have seen epoxies that where up to 50% nonyl in BOTH parts A and B.

Spring 2008 update: Nonyl has been reclassified as "haz-mat" to ship. So, coating with nonyl are 'always' haz-mat.

Nonyl-Phenol in Progressive Epoxy Polymer's marine epoxies

Our least expensive epoxy - Basic No Blush™ - which is an excellent epoxy and one of the lowest priced - if not the lowest priced - non-blushing marine epoxy contains Nonyl Phenol. You will find listed on the MSDS of the Part B - Nonyl Phenol at approximately 40% . There is no Nonyl in the Part A. Now Basic No Blush is a 2:1 mix epoxy so the total amount of Nonyl is a mixed batch of Basic No Blush is approximately 13.2% (that's 40% of 1/3 of the total epoxy mix which consists of: 2/3 resin Part A and 1/3 curing agent Part B). For an inexpensive epoxy - 13.2%

Our Premium No Blush™ is nonyl free and cycloaliphatic besides!

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