CYMEL® 301

CYMEL® 301 Resin is a highly methylated melamine crosslinker supplied at >98% solids. Relative to CYMEL® 303 LF resin, CYMEL® 301 Resin is slightly higher in both monomer content and extent of alkylation resulting in a product with lower viscosity that exhibits fast cure response and imparts excellent flexibility to the film. Its high functionality and low tendency to self-condense makes CYMEL® 301 Resin suitable for a wide range of applications like can, container, automotive and general industrial coatings.

Principal: allnex Crosslinkers

Functions: Crosslinking Agent

Chemical Family: Melamine Formaldehydes (MF)

Compatible Polymers & Resins: Acrylics, Alkyds, Epoxies (EP), Polyesters

End Uses: Can Coating, Coil Coating, Container Coatings, Solventless & High Solids Coating, Surface Coating, Waterborne Coating

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Enhanced TDS

Identification & Functionality

Blend
No
CASE Ingredients Functions
Chemical Family
Function
Crosslinking Agent
Product Code
MITM00236
Single Ingredient
Yes
Technologies
Product Families

Features & Benefits

CASE Ingredients Features
Product Benefits
  • Very high solids content 
  • Excellent deformation and flexibility 
  • Fast cure response at short dwell time

Applications & Uses

Coating End Applications
Compatible Polymers & Resins
Markets
Applications
Product Applications
  • Coil coatings
  • Can and container coatings 
  • High solids and waterborne coatings
Formulation Stability
  • The stability of formulated systems containing CYMEL® 301 Resin can be enhanced by the addition of primary alcohols, amines or a combination of these.
  • Low molecular weight primary alcohols, such as ethanol and n-butanol, are most effective.
  • Recommended amines are DMEA or 2-AMP at a concentration of 0.5 1.0% on total resin solids.
  • Package stability can also be enhanced by the use of a blocked acid catalyst, such as CYCAT 4045 catalyst.
  • For waterborne systems, pH should be adjusted between 7.5-8.5 to achieve optimum stability

Properties

Physical Form
Soluble In
Catalysis Information
  • Because of its high extent of alkylation, CYMEL® 301 Resin responds best to sulfonic acid catalysts, like CYCAT® 4040 catalyst or CYCAT 600 catalyst.
  • Generally, 0.5 to 1.0% of CYCAT 4040 catalyst on total resin solids of the formulation is sufficient to provide good cure at normal baking schedules (15-20 minutes at 120-150°C) in solvent-borne systems.
  • Water-borne systems generally require temperatures of 150°C or higher to effect cure.
  • Higher concentrations of catalyst might be necessary if there are basic pigments or additives present in the formulation.
Backbone Polymer Selection
  • CYMEL® 301 Resin contains mainly methoxymethyl functional sites making it a highly effective crosslinker for backbone polymer resins containing hydroxyl, carboxyl, or amide functional groups, such as those found on alkyd, polyester, or acrylic resins.
  • Its high monomer content and low tendency to self-condense results in films with high flexibility and formability when paired with inherently flexible polymers, such as polyester resins.
  • The effective equivalent weight of CYMEL® 301 Resin typically ranges from 130-190, however, its optimum loading should be determined experimentally for each formulation with consideration of the performance properties to be optimized.

Technical Details & Test Data

Typical Thinning Curve

Packaging & Availability

Packaging Type

Principal Information

Group Principal Number
S000001
Principal

Storage & Handling

Storage Conditions
  • CYMEL® 301 Resin has a shelf life of 5 years from the date of manufacture when stored at temperatures between 5°C and 30°C.
  • Although lower temperatures are not detrimental to stability, its viscosity will increase, possibly making the resin difficult to pump or pour.
  • The viscosity will reduce again on warming, but care should be taken to avoid excessive local heat, as this can cause an irreversible increase in viscosity

Other

Appearance
Clear liquid
Appearance (SDS)
Viscous liquid
Color (SDS)
Clear
Item Number
Odor (SDS)
Slight formaldehyde
Other Hazards
Not applicable
USA/DOT UN Number
Not Applicable
Optical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Color Scalemax. 70.0APHA
Color Scalemax. 70.0GardnerISO 6271
Chemical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Free Formaldehyde Contentmax. 0.3%Sulfite Method
Shelf Life & Stability
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Shelf Life5.0yr
Physical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Viscosity2000.0-4500.0mPa.sISO 3219 at 23°C
Material Composition
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Non-Volatile Contentmin. 98.0%(W/W)ISO 3251
SDS Physical and Chemical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Density (SDS)1.2g/cm³
Flash Point (SDS)min. 93.0°C
Melting Point (SDS)30.0-35.0°C
Storage Temperature (SDS)4.4-32.2°C
Vapor Pressure (SDS)0.03mm Hgat 180°C
pH (SDS)max. 2.0-