Eastman Resin Intermediates

Eastman resin intermediates constitute a range of cycloaliphatic and neopentyl-structured chemical compounds used as raw materials to create resins that form the basis of various coatings, adhesives, inks, and composite materials. When used to make alkyd or polyester resins, these intermediates impart good processability, low color and solution viscosity, and high thermal and hydrolytic stability. In coating and composite applications, Eastman resin intermediates increase resistance to corrosion, chemicals, weathering, and humidity while improving hardness and flexibility. Together, these performance improvements enable the production of high-quality finishes and materials used in applications such as furniture, appliances, equipment, marine vessels, automobiles, bridges, and residential buildings. 
 

The polymers that Eastman resin intermediates produce can be used in a wide variety of coating systems. For example, polyester resins can be made for conventional solvent-based coating systems or more modern water-based and high-solids systems. These resins may also be incorporated into powder coatings and radiation cure systems. 
 

Eastman neopentyl glycol (NPG) is a versatile resin intermediate with a chemical structure that has slightly hindered primary hydroxyl groups and is absent of beta hydrogens. These properties contribute to making polyester resins that undergo rapid reactivity during esterification and curing and have good resistance to humidity, chemicals, and stains in coatings. In general, NPG provides excellent thermal stability during curing, low resin color, moderate solution viscosity, and a high Tg. It is a commonly used material in powder coating, liquid coating, and FRP gel coat applications. 
 

Eastman TMPD™ glycol has a bulky and asymmetrical chemical structure. It imparts low resin solution viscosity and excellent resin solubility in waterborne and high-solids systems. TMPD™ glycol has a sterically hindered hydroxyl group, imparting excellent hydrolytic stability properties and high resistance to stains and chemicals. Polyester resins made with TMPD™ glycol have moderate reactivity during esterification and curing. 
 

Eastman CHDM glycol features primary hydroxyl groups that are sterically unhindered, similar to Eastman NPG. This leads to rapid reactivity during esterification and cure and is especially ideal for lower-temperature cure applications. Its saturated, symmetrical ring structure leads to polyester resins with high polymer stiffness. Thus, these resins have a high Tg and thermal stability and cure with good hardness and flexibility properties in coating formulations. CHDM glycol is ideal for coil, powder, and TPU coatings. 
 

Eastman HPHP glycol is constituted of slightly hindered primary hydroxyl groups, absence of beta hydrogens, and high molecular weight. Polyester resins and coatings made using HPHP glycol have excellent weathering performance, rapid reactivity during cure and esterification, and good flexibility with resistance to humidity, chemicals, and stains. This makes HPHP glycol ideal for powder, coil, and radiation-curable coatings. 
 

Eastman CHDA diacid and Eastman DMCD diester have symmetrical, saturated ring structures that create polymers that impart excellent hardness, flexibility, and hydrolytic stability. Polyester resins made with CHDA or DMCD have rapid processability and low color. It is ideal for producing liquid coatings that serve the automotive, coil, and gel coat markets. Unlike CHDA, when DMCD reacts with a glycol, methanol evolves as a product instead of water.