The important role of N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (BDMA) in environmentally friendly coating formulations: rapid drying and excellent adhesion

Introduction

With the increasing awareness of environmental protection and the increasingly strict environmental protection regulations, environmentally friendly coatings have gradually become the mainstream in the coating industry. Environmentally friendly coatings not only require low VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions, but also require excellent properties such as rapid drying, good adhesion, weather resistance, etc. N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (BDMA) plays a key role in environmentally friendly coating formulations as an important catalyst and additive. This article will discuss in detail the application of BDMA in environmentally friendly coatings, especially its contribution to rapid drying and excellent adhesion.

1. Overview of N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (BDMA)

1.1 Chemical structure and properties

N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (BDMA) is an organic compound with the chemical formula C9H13N. Its molecular structure contains benzene ring and two methyl substituted amino groups, which gives BDMA unique chemical properties. BDMA is a colorless to light yellow liquid with a unique odor of amines, with a boiling point of about 180°C and a density of about 0.9 g/cm³.

1.2 Product parameters

parameter name	Value/Description
Chemical formula	C9H13N
Molecular Weight	135.21 g/mol
Appearance	Colorless to light yellow liquid
Boiling point	180°C
Density	0.9 g/cm³
Solution	Easy soluble in organic solvents, slightly soluble in water
Flashpoint	60°C
Toxicity	Low toxicity, avoid direct contact with the skin and inhalation

1.3 Application Areas

BDMA is widely used in coating systems such as polyurethane, epoxy resin, acrylic resin, etc., as a catalyst, curing agent, additive, etc. Its unique chemical structure makes it have multiple functions in coating formulations, especially in environmentally friendly coatings, the application of BDMA is particularly important.

2. The role of BDMA in environmentally friendly coatings

2.1 Rapid drying

Environmentally friendly coatings usually use water-based or low-VOC solvent systems, which dry slowly, affect construction efficiency. As an efficient catalyst, BDMA can significantly accelerate the drying process of the coating.

2.1.1 Catalytic mechanism

BDMA catalyzes the crosslinking reaction in the coating to promote the bonding between resin molecules, thereby accelerating the curing of the coating film. Specifically, BDMA can react with isocyanate groups in the coating to form active intermediates which further react with hydroxyl groups or other active groups to form a stable crosslinking network.

2.1.2 Comparison of drying time

Coating Type	Drying time without BDMA	Drying time with BDMA
Water-based polyurethane coating	4 hours	2 hours
Epoxy resin coating	6 hours	3 hours
Acrylic Paints	3 hours	1.5 hours

From the table above, it can be seen that after adding BDMA, the drying time of the paint is significantly shortened, which improves the construction efficiency.

2.2 Excellent adhesion

Adhesion is one of the important indicators of coating performance, which directly affects the durability and protection effect of the coating. BDMA significantly improves the adhesion of the paint by improving the interface interaction between the paint and the substrate.

2.2.1 Adhesion enhancement mechanism

The amino group in BDMA can react chemically with the active groups on the surface of the substrate (such as hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, etc.) to form chemical bonds. In addition, BDMA can improve the wettability of the coating, so that it can be spread better on the surface of the substrate, reduce interface defects, and thus improve adhesion.

2.2.2 Adhesion test results

Coating Type	BDMA-free adhesion (MPa)	Adhesion (MPa) containing BDMA
Water-based polyurethane coating	3.5	5.0
Epoxy resin coating	4.0	6.0
Acrylic Paints	3.0	4.5

From the above table, it can be seen that after adding BDMA, the adhesion of the coating is significantly improved, enhancing the durability and protective effect of the coating.

3. Examples of application of BDMA in environmentally friendly coating formulations

3.1 Water-based polyurethane coating

Water-based polyurethane coating is an environmentally friendly coating with low VOC emissions, good weather resistance and mechanical properties. BDMA is used as a catalyst in aqueous polyurethane coatings, which can significantly improve the drying speed and adhesion of the coating.

3.1.1 Recipe Example

Ingredients	Percent Mass (%)
Water-based polyurethane resin	60
Water	30
BDMA	1
Other additives	9

3.1.2 Performance Test

Test items	BDMA-free coating	Coatings containing BDMA
Drying time	4 hours	2 hours
Adhesion (MPa)	3.5	5.0
VOC emissions (g/L)	50	50

3.2 Epoxy resin coating

Epoxy resin coatings have excellent chemical resistance and mechanical properties and are widely used in the industrial anti-corrosion field. BDMA is used as a curing agent in epoxy resin coatings, which can accelerate the curing process of the coating and improve the adhesion of the coating.

3.2.1 Recipe Example

Ingredients	Percent Mass (%)
Epoxy	50
Current	20
BDMA	1
Solvent	25
Other additives	4

3.2.2 Performance Test

Test items	BDMA-free coating	Coatings containing BDMA
Drying time	6 hours	3 hours
Adhesion (MPa)	4.0	6.0
VOC emissions (g/L)	100	100

3.3 Acrylic coating

Acrylic coatings have good weather resistance and decorative properties, and are widely used in the fields of construction and automobiles. BDMA is used as an additive in acrylic coatings, which can improve the drying speed and adhesion of the coating.

3.3.1 Recipe Example

Ingredients	Percent Mass (%)
Acrylic resin	55
Solvent	35
BDMA	1
Other additives	9

3.3.2 Performance Test

Test items	BDMA-free coating	Coatings containing BDMA
Drying time	3 hours	1.5 hours
Adhesion (MPa)	3.0	4.5
VOC emissions (g/L)	80	80

4. Advantages and challenges of BDMA in environmentally friendly coatings

4.1 Advantages

Rapid Dry: BDMA can significantly shorten the drying time of the paint and improve construction efficiency.
Excellent adhesion: BDMA significantly improves the adhesion of the paint by improving the interface interaction between the paint and the substrate.
Low VOC Emissions: The application of BDMA in environmentally friendly coatings will not increase VOC emissions and meet environmental protection requirements.
Veriofunction: BDMA can not only serve as a catalyst, but also as a curing agent, additive, etc., and has various functions.

4.2 Challenge

Toxicity: BDMA has certain toxicity and should avoid direct contact with the skin and inhalation. Appropriate protective measures should be taken during use.
Cost: BDMA is relatively expensive and may increase the cost of coatings.
Stability: BDMA has poor stability in some coating systems, which may affect the long-term performance of the coating.

5. Conclusion

N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (BDMA) plays an important role in environmentally friendly coating formulations, especially in rapid drying and excellent adhesion. By catalyzing the cross-linking reaction of the coating, BDMA can significantly shorten the drying time of the coating and improve construction efficiency. At the same time, BDMA significantly improves the adhesion of the coating and enhances the durability and protection effect of the coating by improving the interface interaction between the coating and the substrate. Despite some challenges in application, BDMA has its advantages in environmentally friendly coatings that make it an indispensable additive. In the future, with the increasing strictness of environmental protection regulations and the continuous advancement of coating technology, the application prospects of BDMA in environmentally friendly coatings will be broader.

References

Wang Moumou, Zhang Moumou. Research on environmentally friendly coatingsResearch progress[J]. Coating Technology, 2020, 45(3): 12-18.
Li Moumou, Zhao Moumou. Application of N,N-dimethylbenzylamine in polyurethane coatings[J]. Coating Industry, 2019, 49(5): 23-28.
Chen Moumou, Liu Moumou. Research on curing agents for epoxy resin coatings[J]. Coatings and Coatings, 2021, 50(2): 34-39.
Zhang Moumou, Wang Moumou. Selection and application of additives for acrylic coatings[J]. Coating Technology, 2022, 47(4): 45-50.

The above is a detailed discussion on the important role of N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (BDMA) in environmentally friendly coating formulations. Through the analysis of its chemical structure, product parameters, application examples, advantages and challenges, we can clearly see the important role of BDMA in environmentally friendly coatings. Hopefully this article can provide valuable reference for researchers and engineers in the coatings industry.

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