EO2HDDA: A value-added upgrade of HDDA
Release time:
2025-05-29
In the landscape of UV-curable acrylate monomers, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA, CAS#13048-33-4) has long served as a workhorse due to its versatility, fast curing speed, and excellent mechanical properties. However, as demands for enhanced formulation flexibility and lower toxicity increase, ethoxylated 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (EO2HDDA, CAS#84170-27-4) is gaining traction as a high-performance alternative.
This article explores the structural characteristics, key performance traits, and application fields of EO2HDDA, with an emphasis on its relationship to HDDA and its potential as a functional substitute in UV-curing and radiation-curable formulations.
Structural Characteristics: EO2HDDA vs. HDDA
At their core, both HDDA and EO2HDDA are difunctional acrylate monomers based on a 1,6-hexanediol backbone, which offers a balance of flexibility and rigidity. The key difference lies in the presence of ethylene oxide units in EO2HDDA:
Property | HDDA | EO2HDDA (typically EO2) |
Chemical Structure | Hexanediol backbone with two acrylates | Hexanediol backbone + 2 ethylene oxide units per acrylate |
Molecular Weight | ~226 g/mol | ~330–370 g/mol (depending on EO content) |
Viscosity | Low (10–30 mPa·s at 25°C) | Moderate (~80–150 mPa·s at 25°C) |
Hydrophilicity | Low | Moderate (due to ethoxylation) |
Reactivity (acrylate groups) | High | Slightly reduced due to steric hindrance |
The addition of ethylene oxide (EO) units imparts greater molecular flexibility and hydrophilicity to EO2HDDA, reducing shrinkage and improving compatibility with both polar and non-polar systems.
Product Features of EO2HDDA
EO2HDDA typically contains two ethylene oxide units per acrylate end, offering a balanced combination of:
Low Volatility: Higher molecular weight reduces evaporation and odor, beneficial for safety and environmental compliance.
Lower Skin Irritation: Compared to HDDA, EO2HDDA has reduced dermal sensitivity due to ethoxylation.
Improved Flexibility: Ethylene oxide units introduce chain mobility, ideal for flexible coatings or inks.
Enhanced Wetting and Compatibility: The moderate polarity allows better dispersion of pigments or fillers in UV inks and adhesives.
Reduced Shrinkage Stress: Especially important in 3D printing and electronics where dimensional stability is crucial.
Substitutability Between EO2HDDA and HDDA
EO2HDDA can serve as a partial or full substitute for HDDA in many UV-curable systems, particularly when enhanced flexibility or lower skin sensitization is desired. However, some trade-offs must be considered:
Attribute | HDDA | EO2HDDA |
Cure Speed | Faster | Slightly slower |
Hardness | Higher | Lower (more flexible films) |
Shrinkage | Higher | Lower |
Compatibility with pigments | Moderate | Better due to EO units |
Skin Irritation | Higher | Lower |
Viscosity | Lower (easier to handle) | Higher (may require heating/dilution) |
In high-speed curing applications where hardness and fast polymerization are paramount, HDDA might still be favored. However, in formulations requiring lower shrinkage, enhanced flexibility, or reduced toxicity, EO2HDDA is increasingly seen as a superior alternative.
Conclusion
Ethoxylated 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (EO2HDDA) is more than just a modified HDDA—it is a strategic performance monomer offering key advantages in flexibility, compatibility, and safety. While HDDA continues to dominate many UV-curable systems due to its cost-efficiency and fast curing behavior, EO2HDDA represents a next-generation alternative for formulators aiming to optimize film performance without compromising processability or regulatory compliance.
In a formulation world increasingly driven by performance, safety, and regulatory pressures, EO2HDDA will likely continue to gain ground—not as a replacement of HDDA, but as a value-added upgrade for demanding applications across coatings, inks, adhesives, and beyond.
EO2-HDDA,HDDA
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