Epoxy

Curing
Agents
for Civil
Engineering
Applications
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ....................................................1

Application Requirements and

Product Recommendations .............2–9
Flooring: primers/sealers, self-leveling,
broadcast, trowelable....................................4–5

Concrete Repair: crack injection, repair

mortars, repair grouts, concrete adhesives,
bonding agents, paving overlays................6–7

Other Applications: chemically resistant

linings, deck membranes, machine grouts,
tile grouts, anchor bolt adhesives, joint fillers,
penetrating sealers, polymer concrete ......8–9

Product Performance Data ..........10–16

Viscosity.............................................................12

Cure Speed ........................................................13

Strength and Modulus ....................................14

Bond Strength...................................................15

Chemical Resistance .......................................15

Low-Temperature Cure ...................................15

Waterborne Systems.......................................15

Blush and Waterspot Resistance ..................15

Increased Flexibility .........................................15

ASTM C881 Specification ....................16

Appendix
Test Methods.....................................................17
Epoxy-based construction products are used widely
around the world. A broad range of performance
and application characteristics can be obtained with
epoxies, including the following:
• High strength and dimensional stability
• Good adhesion to concrete
• Ability to be formulated to 100% solids
• Very good chemical resistance
• Good intercoat adhesion
• No volatile monomers
• Good cure under cold, damp conditions
• Low cure shrinkage
A system’s performance is heavily dependent on
the choice of epoxy curing agent. Performance can
be further optimized with the proper choice of resin,
modifiers, pigments, fillers and additives. In
addition, the application conditions, application
technique and surface preparation greatly influence
the system.
This guide is intended for formulators of epoxy- INTRODUCTION
based civil engineering materials. Air Products
manufactures a broad line of epoxy curing agents
and modifiers that offers the high performance
needed to meet the formulator’s requirements.
Curing agent recommendations are provided for
each type of application, and product performance
data are given for many of the recommended
products. See the table below for a list of the
featured products.
Additional performance data for Air Products’
epoxy curing agents are included in the following
literature:
• Epoxy Curing Agents for Flooring Applications
• Epoxy Curing Agents and Diluents Product Guide
• Technical data sheets for each product
For samples or additional information on these
and other products, contact your sales
representative or one of the Air Products offices
listed on the back cover of this guide.

Air Products Epoxy Curing Agents for Civil Engineering Applications

Modified Aliphatics Amidoamines Modified Polyamides Waterborne
Cycloaliphatics
Ancamine® 1608 Ancamide® 2137 Ancamine 1618 Ancamide 2353 Anquamide® 360
Ancamine 1637LV Ancamide 2349 Ancamine 1693 Anquamine® 401
Ancamine 1638 Ancamide 2396 Ancamine 2074
Ancamine 1768 Ancamide 2439 Ancamine 2143
Ancamine 1784 Ancamide 2443 Ancamine 2280
Ancamine 1856 Ancamide 501 Ancamine 2286
Ancamine 2071 Ancamide 502 Ancamine 2368
Ancamine 2089M Ancamide 506 Ancamine 2423
Ancamine 2390
Ancamine 2432

1
 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Because of the wide variety of civil engineering
AND PRODUCT applications, the primary performance requirements
of each type of application should be considered.
RECOMMENDATIONS The formulator should prioritize the desired system
properties to guide selection of the proper curing
agent. Performance requirements can be influenced
greatly by the owner’s operating requirements (for
example, a requirement for no odor or for only
night/weekend work). Materials with the right
performance and safety characteristics help the
applicator comply with owner requirements at
minimum cost.
Civil engineering epoxy applications use
predominantly modified aliphatic amine,
amidoamine and modified cycloaliphatic amine
curing agents. Standard polyamides are not used

Table 1 General Product Recommendations for Civil Engineering

Flooring Concrete Repair
Broadcast/
Flooring Self- Trowelable
Primers/ Leveling Broadcast Trowelable Floor Crack Repair Repair Concrete Bonding Paving
Sealers Flooring Flooring Flooring Topcoats Injection Mortars Grouts Adhesives Agents Overlays
Modified Aliphatics
1608 •
1637LV
1638 • • •
1768 • • • •
1784 • •
1856 • •
2071 •
2089M •• • •
2432 •• •
Amidoamines/Polyamides
2137 • •
2349 • •• •
2353 •• • •• •
2396 •• • • • • • •• • •
2439
2443 • • •
501 • • • • • •
502 • • • • •
506 • •
Modified Cycloaliphatics
1618 •• ••
1693 • •
2074 •• •
2143 •• ••
2280 • •• •• •
2286 •• ••
2368 • • • • •
2423 •• ••
Waterborne
360 •• •
401 ••
Flexible Epoxy
Ancarez® 2364 Modifier •
Ancamine 2390 Curing Agent •
2 •• Preferred Recommendation • Recommendation
extensively because of their relatively slower cure
and high viscosity in 100% solids systems.
Waterborne epoxy formulations are used for
concrete sealers, primers and paints. The epoxy
resin used is usually standard bisphenol-A-based
epoxy, and reactive diluents are often used to
reduce binder viscosity. Air Products offers a full
range of reactive diluents for civil engineering
formulations—refer to our Epoxy Product Guide
for more information on these products.
Described in the remainder of this guide are
the general formulating requirements for each
type of civil engineering application, along with
curing agent recommendations. Table 1
summarizes this information. Note that these
recommendations are not intended to be
all-inclusive; other curing agents may be better
suited to meet your specific requirements. In
addition to these application areas where the
binder is usually 100% epoxy, cementitious
binders can also be modified with epoxies to
improve impact resistance, reduce water
absorption, increase resistance to chemicals
and speed up strength development.

Table 1 (Continued)
Other Applications Accelerators

Chemically Anchor
Resistant Deck Machine Tile Bolt Joint Penetrating Polymer
Linings Membranes Grouts Grouts Adhesives Fillers Sealers Concrete
Modified Aliphatics
1608 •
1637LV • •
1638 • •
1768 • •• ••
1784 •
1856 • ••
2071 • •
2089M ••
2432 •• • •• ••
Amidoamines/Polyamides
2137 •
2349 •• •
2353
2396 •• •
2439 ••
2443 •
501 • •
502 • • • •
506 •
Modified Cycloaliphatics
1618 • •
1693 ••
2074 •
2143 • •
2280 ••
2286 • •
2368 • •
2423 •• • •
Waterborne
360 •
401 •
Flexible Epoxy
Ancarez® 2364 Modifier ••* •• •• ••
Ancamine 2390 Curing Agent •* •• ••
•• Preferred Recommendation • Recommendation *Ancarez 2364 or Ancamine 2390 can be used to formulate flexible membranes for secondary containment systems. 3
 FLOORING Epoxy flooring systems have been used for many
years to provide cost-effective, superior
performance in industrial, commercial and
institutional applications. The primary purposes
of an epoxy floor are:
• to protect the substrate from chemicals, loads
and traffic, impact, wear and stains
• to improve the cleanliness of the facility and
minimize concrete dust generation
• to improve the appearance and brightness
of the facility
Epoxy floors are used in facilities such as
chemical plants, assembly areas, warehouses,
kitchens and hospitals. Table 2 outlines the basic
types of epoxy flooring systems. Refer to Air
Products’ publication, Epoxy Curing Agents for
Flooring Applications, for more detailed curing
agent recommendations and data for model
floor formulations.
Other types of specialty floors include terrazzo
and pebblebond for decorative applications, and
electrostatic dissipative (ESD) and electro-
conductive for electronic manufacturing
or flammable handling areas.
Since floor service conditions and performance
requirements can vary widely, the specifier needs to
assess each factor to select the right material.
Performance parameters include chemical
resistance, adhesion to concrete, hardness, stain
resistance, flexibility, abrasion resistance, strength,
and impact and thermal shock resistance. High-
performance curing agents with fast cure speed,
such as Ancamine 2432 and 2089M, can be used
to accelerate flooring system cure and provide a
quick return to service.

Table 2 Epoxy Flooring Types

Application Filler/Binder Binder Recommended
Thickness (in) Duty Method Ratio Requirements Products
Floor Primers 0 - 0.03 Light, foot traffic Brush, none to 1:1 Low viscosity, fast dry, High-solids:
and Sealers roller, spray good appearance, 2396, 2353, 2280
usually high-solids 2137, 2368, 501
or waterborne Waterborne: 401, 360
Self-Leveling 1/16-1/8 Light Poured, then 1:1 - 3:1 Good appearance, See Epoxy Curing
Floors to medium raked and rolled chemical resistance, Agents for Flooring
fast cure Applications brochure
Broadcast 1/16-1/4 Light Alternating rolled 3:1 - 5:1 Strength, hardness, Intermediate layers: 1608,
Floors to medium layers/topcoat good color, 1638, 1768, 2349, 501
moderate viscosity Top layer: same as
self-leveling
Trowelable 3/16-1/2 Heavy, vehicle traffic Drag box 5:1 - 10:1 Strength, low viscosity, See Epoxy Curing
Floors and hand abrasion resistance Agents for Flooring
or power trowel Applications brochure

4
Primers/Sealers
Primers provide a good surface for bonding of the
flooring material. They also retard outgassing of
the concrete which can cause bubbles in the floor
coating. Primers are especially needed with floors
that are not resin rich (such as trowelable floors).
A good bond is indicated by a direct pull-off bond
strength of at least 200 psi between the primer and
the concrete and/or failure in the concrete substrate.
Good adhesion to damp concrete is often desired
because at application time the concrete surface
may not be completely dry due to previous use,
the location or recent cleaning.
Primers and sealers are generally based on
100% solids or waterborne systems—use of
solventborne systems has declined because of odor
and safety issues. As shown in Table 2, moderate to
low-viscosity curing agents that give good adhesion
to damp concrete are recommended. Ancamide
2443 curing agent can also be used as a reactive
modifier to lower system viscosity. Ancamine K54
curing agent, used at ≤ 5 phr, may be used to
enhance adhesion to damp concrete.
Self-Leveling Floors
Self-leveling floors are designed to provide very
good appearance with a minimum amount of
finishing. They are used in dairies, chemical
process areas and food preparation areas. Self-
leveling floors need good flow, good surface
appearance and, often, chemical resistance. High-
performance modified cycloaliphatics are the most
frequently used curing agents for these applications.
Refer to our brochure, Epoxy Curing Agents for
Flooring Applications, for self-leveling floor curing
agent recommendations and data.
Broadcast Floors
Broadcast floors are applied in multiple layers
with sand cast into a liquid epoxy binder. This
technique is often used to provide a decorative
effect. For the intermediate layer, we recommend
fast aliphatics such as Ancamine 1768 or 1638
curing agents, or fast amidoamines such as
Ancamide 2349 or 501 curing agents. For the top
layer, where good appearance is usually desired,
we recommend using the same curing agents as
for self-leveling floors.
Trowelable Floors
Trowelable floors, which may also be referred to as
mortars or toppings, are designed to be finished
and compacted using hand or power trowels. They
are designed for heavy-duty applications and can be
used to level rough concrete surfaces. Trowelable
floors are multiple-layer systems which include a
primer, a trowel coat and a topcoat. The base
trowel coat typically uses modified aliphatic or
amidoamine curing agents. Modified cycloaliphatic
curing agents are often used for the topcoat. Refer
to our brochure, Epoxy Curing Agents for Flooring
Applications, for trowelable floor curing agent
recommendations and data.
5
 CONCRETE REPAIR Concrete repair systems restore structural integrity,
prevent further damage to the structures and/or
improve appearance. Epoxy-based repair materials
can offer much higher performance than
cementitious-based materials. These epoxy
performance factors include:
• Bonding to the Substrate: The direct pull-off test
is frequently used to test bonds in coatings, while
slant shear (ASTM C882) is often used to test
repair mortars and adhesives.
• Compressive, Flexural and Tensile Strength: The
formulator should take into account the strength
of concrete (typically 350-600 psi in tensile,
4,000 psi in compressive and 2,000 psi in shear)
when developing an epoxy system.
• Modulus, Dimensional Stability and Creep
Resistance: In structural repairs, the modulus
should be similar to that of the substrate in order
to achieve uniform load transfer. If the repair is
non-structural, however, a lower modulus may
be desirable to reduce the potential for
cracking and delamination and to enhance
vibration dampening.
• Quick Strength Build: For fast turnaround time
and lower downtime costs.
• Ease of Application: To minimize labor costs
and risk of failure.
• Chemical Resistance and Water Resistance
• Low Cure Shrinkage
• Flowability or Non-Sagging: Depending on the
application.
Repair materials are often applied to high
thicknesses, and therefore are mostly 100%
solids systems to avoid bubbling or insufficient
cure. Binder requirements and curing agent
recommendations for concrete repair materials
are listed in Table 3.
Standard Specification ASTM C881 can be used
to classify epoxy materials for concrete repair. This
standard specifies performance characteristics for
materials by product type, viscosity and application
temperature range. ASTM C881 recommendations
are included on page 16. The various concrete
repair applications are described in more detail on
the following page.

Table 3 Concrete Repair Applications

Application Key Binder Requirements Recommended Products
Crack Injection Low viscosity, moisture tolerance, low-temp cure 2089M, 2432, 1768, 2396, 2443
Repair Mortars High strength and modulus, fast set, workability 1638, 1768, 1856, 2071, 2349, 2353, 2396, 2368, 501, 502
Repair Grouts Good flowability and wetting, moderate pot life 1784, 2089M, 2443, 502
Concrete Adhesives High strength and modulus, low creep, thixotropy 2353, 2396, 1856, 2089M, 2280, 2368, 2432, 501
Bonding Agents Moisture tolerance, long working life 2353, 2396, 502, 506, 360
Paving Overlays Abrasion resistance, toughness, fast set 2137, 2396, 501, 502, 2364, 2390

6
Crack Injection
Crack injection is used to repair cracked, hollow
plane or honeycombed concrete. Crack injection
materials are generally unfilled and need to have
low viscosity and good wetting. The injection
material should also be moisture-tolerant, it should
bond well to wet or dry concrete, and it should cure
at low temperatures. A balance of gel time and
reactivity is needed since longer gel times will allow
better penetration. Low-viscosity modified aliphatics
and amidoamines are recommended. Ancamide
2443 curing agent can also be used as a reactive
modifier to lower the system viscosity.
Epoxies used in the seal cap paste should
be sag resistant and fast setting. Modified
aliphatics, such as Ancamine 1638 curing
agent, are recommended.
Repair Mortars
Mortars are heavily filled materials used for
concrete patching and structural repair. The most
important requirement for mortars is a good bond to
the substrate. Strength and high modulus for
effective stress transfer across the concrete/epoxy
interface are also important. In some applications,
the epoxy mortar can distribute loads across
underlying concrete because of its superior
compressive strength and high flexural modulus. In
addition, the contractor wants application ease and
a fast set for quick return to service. For vertical and
overhead applications, non-sagging systems are
needed. For underwater applications, specially-
designed mortars are available.
Mortars generally consist of 4 to 7 parts of fine
aggregate to one part epoxy binder, so the binder
should be moderate to low viscosity for good filler
wetting and workability. High-modulus modified
aliphatics and amidoamines are recommended.
Repair Grouts
Epoxy grouts are filled materials designed to flow
into and seal voids and cracks. They can be used to
bond pre-placed aggregate or to replace damaged
concrete sections, as in underwater column repair.
Epoxy grout systems should be flowable, but they
should not allow settling of the fillers after
placement. Sufficient pot life is also needed for
placement. We recommend low-viscosity,
moderate-pot life curing agents.
Concrete Adhesives
Adhesives are used to bond precast segments and
other materials to concrete. Epoxy adhesives are
also used to bond steel or composite reinforcement
to concrete to add load-bearing capacity. Bond
strength is the most important parameter, and,
in general, epoxies provide a good bond to
construction materials. Sufficient working time
is desired to allow positioning of the bonded
elements, while fast strength development can
speed up the job time. Sufficient viscosity and
thixotropy are required so that the adhesive will
not run out of the bond line. Products that give
an excellent bond to dry or damp concrete, such
as Ancamide 2353 and 2396 curing agents,
are recommended.
Bonding Agents
Bonding agents are used to improve the bond
between hardened existing concrete and new,
freshly poured concrete. The bonding agent helps
ensure that the bond is stronger than the concrete
itself, and it also helps prevent migration of
chlorides through the concrete. The bonding agent
may include fillers up to a 2:1 filler/binder ratio
depending on application requirements. We
recommend curing agents with moderate pot life
and good moisture tolerance such as Ancamide
2353 and 2396 for a 100% solids system, or
Anquamide 360 for a waterborne system.
Paving Overlays
Epoxy overlays are used to repair deteriorated
concrete bridge and parking decks. Overlays can
also be applied directly over steel bridge plates with
no concrete slab. The overlays restore riding quality,
improve skid resistance and retard penetration of
chlorides to prevent corrosion of the reinforcement.
They also add much less weight than cementitious
repair materials. Proper preventive maintenance
using epoxy overlays is much less expensive than
full repair for concrete bridge decks. The overlay
systems require abrasion resistance, toughness and
a fast set to return the road to service quickly.
7
 OTHER APPLICATIONS There are many other types of civil engineering
applications that use epoxies but are not included
in the previous flooring and concrete repair
classifications. The binder performance
requirements for some of these applications are
summarized in Table 4. These applications are
described in more detail below.
Chemically Resistant Linings/
Secondary Containment
Linings are used to protect concrete in chemical
processing systems, wastewater treatment plants,
sewers, paper mills and food plants. The linings are
applied in trenches, spillways, pads, pits, sumps,
pipe chases, drum containment areas and loading
areas. They can also be used to repair the internal
surfaces of storage tanks. Low permeability,
resistance to chemical degradation and resistance
to cracking are important requirements for
these applications.
Epoxy novolac and bis-F-based resins are often
used in linings because of their improved chemical
resistance versus standard bis-A resin. In addition,
the use of reinforcement materials and fillers in
these systems helps reduce permeation rates and
provides protection against traffic, abrasion, impact,
thermal shock and thermal cycling. Refer to Air
Products’ bulletin, Chemical Resistance for
Ambient Cure Epoxy Formulations, for curing agent
recommendations and data on which products
resist specific reagents. Also refer to our brochure,
Epoxy Curing Agents and Modifiers for Secondary
Containment, for further information.
A membrane of flexible epoxy is sometimes
used under the chemically resistant topcoat to
provide crack bridging. Ancarez 2364 modifier and
Ancamine 2390 curing agent-based formulations
are recommended for these membranes.
Bridge and Parking Deck Membranes
Deck membranes are flexible systems that provide
skid-resistant wear surfaces and prevent permeation
of water into the concrete in order to limit
freeze/thaw damage, corrosion of rebar and leakage
to the levels below. These membranes are used on
bridge decks, parking garages, pedestrian walkways
and balconies. Epoxy systems used in these
applications need to provide good tear strength,
abrasion resistance and low-temperature flexibility.
Ancarez 2364 modifier (with a curing agent such as
Ancamine 1768) or Ancamine 2390 curing agent-
based formulations can best meet these
requirements. Refer to Air Products’ bulletin,
Flexibilizing Epoxy Formulations, for
formulating guidelines.

Table 4 Other Civil Engineering Applications

Application Key Binder Requirements Recommended Products
Chemically Resistant Linings Chemical resistance, durability Topcoats: 1693, 2280, 2423, 2432, 2422
Membranes: 2364, 2390
Deck Membranes Abrasion resistance, flexibility 2364, 2390
Machine Grouts Low creep, flowability 2349, 1638, 1768, 501, 502
Tile Grouts Water wipability, moisture tolerance 2396, 2439, 1618, 2143, 2432, 2423, 502
Anchor Bolt Adhesives Fast cure, creep resistance 2432, 1768, 1637LV, 1856, 2071, 2205
Joint Fillers Moderate elongation 2364, 2390, 2137, 502, 506
Penetrating Sealers Very low viscosity, good wetting, 1784, 2074, 2286, 2368, 2443, 360, 401
sufficient pot life
Polymer Concrete High strength and modulus, low viscosity 2349, 2396, 501, 502

8
Machine Grouts
Machine grouts and chocking compounds are
used to construct bases and mount mechanical
equipment. The epoxy system used in these
applications protects the underlying concrete from
vibration and chemicals. High strength and creep
resistance are important performance attributes.
Moderately fast cure is also often desired to enable
quick machine mounting and return to service.
We recommend high-strength aliphatics and
amidoamines such as Ancamine 1638 and
Ancamide 2349 curing agents.
Tile Grouts and Bedding Compounds
Epoxies are used in tile grouts (the filler between
tiles or bricks) and bedding compounds (the
adhesive used to bond the tiles to the substrate).
Epoxy tile grouts are used in such applications as
food processing plants, institutional kitchens,
breweries and bathrooms, where better chemical
resistance and durability are required. The epoxy
binder in grout applications should be emulsifiable
in the uncured state if water wipability is desired for
easy clean-up. Ancamide 2439 curing agent is
designed to meet AARII tile grout specifications.
Ancamide 2396, Ancamine 2432 and modified
cycloaliphatics such as Ancamine 2143 and 2423
curing agents will give improved chemical
resistance for tile grouts. The modified
cycloaliphatic amines give the best color stability.
Penetrating Sealers
Penetrating sealers are low-viscosity materials
designed to penetrate into the pores of the concrete
surface without forming a film on the surface. The
sealer controls dusting and inhibits penetration of
moisture, chloride ions and chemicals. It continues
to provide protection even if the top surface is
worn away. Penetrating sealers are used for floors,
highways, bridge decks, parking decks and general
building structures (walls). They are generally
low-solids materials with sufficient pot life for
penetration. Very low-viscosity products, such as
Ancamine 2286 and 2074 and Ancamide 2443
curing agents, are suitable for this application.
Polymer Concrete
Polymer concrete with epoxy as the binder is used
to make precast pieces for construction. These
systems typically have a 5:1 to 15:1 filler-to-binder
ratio. Compared with normal Portland cement,
polymer concrete offers improved strength, better
vibration damping, protection against corrosive
environments, minimal water permeability and
good freeze/thaw resistance. Standard and improved-
performance amidoamines, such as Ancamide
2349 and 2396 curing agents, are recommended
for polymer concrete applications.

Anchor Bolt Adhesives

Epoxy adhesives are an alternative to mechanical
anchors to secure bolts, rods and reinforcing bars
into concrete. These compounds need quick
strength development for fast in-service time, as
well as good creep resistance to prevent failure
under load. We recommend our fast-cure
modified aliphatics.

Joint Fillers
Epoxy fillers are used for construction joints or to
fill-in cracks in concrete floors and slabs. A
semi-rigid filled epoxy can support wheel loads and
prevent concrete deterioration at the edge of the
joint or crack. Epoxy fillers typically require 40-
100% elongation and a Shore D hardness of 50
or more. Ancarez 2364 modifier and Ancamine
2390 curing agent-based formulations can best
meet these requirements.

9
 PRODUCT Performance data for many of the Air Products
PERFORMANCE DATA curing agents recommended for civil engineering
applications are summarized in Tables 5 and 6.
Although the tables show comparative data for
unfilled binder formulations, the data can be
useful in predicting performance in filled systems.
Test methods are described in the Appendix.
Table 5 shows data for the curing agents formulated
at stoichiometry with undiluted resin (standard
bisphenol-A-based liquid resin, EEW=190). Table 6
shows data with diluted resin (a 90% bis-A resin,
10% Epodil® 748 diluent blend). Epodil 748 is a
monofunctional diluent commonly used in civil
engineering formulations.

Table 5 Formulation Properties with Bis-A-Based Liquid Resin

Modified Aliphatics
1608 1637LV 1638 1768 1784 1856 2071 2089M 2432
FORMULATION

PART A
Bis-A-Based Resin (EEW=190)–Parts 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
PART B
Curing Agent–Parts 20 26 15 50 40 40 50 40 46

Curing Agent Viscosity, cP 3,500 1,500 100 220 50 3,000 700 100 300
Mixed Viscosity, cP 14,200 8,350 4,680 2,820 1,580 10,800 4,650 2,540 2,100
REACTIVITY
Gel Time, min, 150g mass at 77 °F (25 °C) 14 16 15 10 120 9 8 15 27
Thin Film Set Time, hr
at 77 °F (25 °C) 3.0 2.5 2.5 1.5 12 1.8 2.0 2.0 2.0
at 40 °F (5 °C) 10.0 6.5 5.5 5.0 40 3.5 3.5 5.0 8.0
Physical Properties (after 7 day cure at 77 °F)

Compressive
Strength, psi 16,400 11,900 13,900 13,300 17,400 15,400 15,600 12,300 11,700
Modulus, thousand psi 422 165 383 349 409 402 424 267 356

Tensile
Strength, psi 9,500 5,800 11,500 10,300 12,400 11,000 11,000 9,500
Modulus, thousand psi 493 599 485 509 606 491 577 474
Elongation, % 2.5 1.6 4.1 2.8 4.4 3.9 3.3 4.8

Flexural
Strength, psi 20,200 14,700 15,900 15,000 20,900 18,200 18,000 15,700
Modulus, thousand psi 663 665 594 583 658 447 648 525
Tg, °F 139 141 127 130 116 132 132 126 131

Bond Strength to Damp Concrete, psi*

Cure at 72 °F 139 380 171 506 558 707 460 611 518
Cure at 40 °F 14 59 23 83 148 <50 57 185 599

*Formulations used for the bond strength test include 5 phr Ancamine K54 curing agent.

10
 In general, the addition of diluent lowers the
mixed viscosity significantly and increases
flexibility (elongation), but it also slows the cure
speed and decreases the ultimate physical strength.
The type and level of diluent used influences the
effect on handling and performance properties.
Difunctional reactive diluents will generally offer
faster reactivity and higher strength and modulus
compared with systems that use monofunctional
diluents. Air Products offers a full range of reactive
diluents for civil engineering—refer to our Epoxy
Product Guide for more information on these products.
Following are descriptions of specific
performance parameters and the recommended
curing agents to use to meet these requirements.

Table 5 (Continued)
Modified Cycloaliphatics Amidoamines / Polyamides
2074 2280 2368 2423 2137 2349 2353 2396 502
FORMULATION

PART A
Bis-A-Based Resin (EEW=190)–Parts 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
PART B
Curing Agent–Parts 50 58 52 60 70 35 60 49 50

Curing Agent Viscosity, cP 60 450 200 1,200 1,800 800 3,000 680 300
Mixed Viscosity, cP 1,030 2,860 1,400 4,280 4,660 5,250 5,800 3,700 2,160
REACTIVITY
Gel Time, min, 150g mass at 77 °F (25 °C) 32 50 32 17 27 45 65 102 115
Thin Film Set Time, hr
at 77 °F (25 °C) 4.5 6.0 5.3 3.5 3.0 4.8 4.5 8.5 12
at 40 °F (5 °C) 14 19 16 9.5 18 18 20 28 38
Physical Properties (after 7 day cure at 77 °F)

Compressive
Strength, psi 10,000 10,400 14,000 11,800 7,700 13,700 14,300 13,600 10,800
Modulus, thousand psi 326 307 384 315 240 344 388 345 297

Tensile
Strength, psi 8,800 7,700 8,000 8,900 6,500 8,100 9,800 8,600 6,400
Modulus, thousand psi 452 390 282 480 419 470 403 243 181
Elongation, % 4.6 3.2 3.3 3.2 8.5 2.3 6.7 4.3 5.9

Flexural
Strength, psi 14,500 13,600 14,600 15,300 9,800 14,700 16,300 17,300 12,700
Modulus, thousand psi 560 500 535 556 315 583 516 496 392
Tg, °F 124 122 136 126 109 131 148 137 125

Bond Strength to Damp Concrete, psi*

Cure at 72 °F 651 588 518 429 223 300 407 112
Cure at 40 °F 530 396 486 127 <50 250 223 <50

*Formulations used for the bond strength test include 5 phr Ancamine K54 curing agent.

11
 PRODUCT Viscosity formulations in Tables 5 and 6. Ancamine 1784,
PERFORMANCE DATA Very low viscosity is needed for crack injection, 2286, 2074 and 2368 and Ancamide 2443 curing
(continued) penetrating sealers and flowable grouts. Low agents give the lowest mixed viscosity.
viscosity facilitates high filler loading and wetting in Ancamide 2443 is also useful as a co-curing
flooring systems and mortars. Materials to be used agent to reduce viscosity in civil engineering
at low temperatures need low viscosity, since epoxy formulations. In addition, viscosity is commonly
system viscosity will increase significantly with modified with reactive diluents used on the resin
lower temperatures. Viscosity levels are provided side of the formulation. Refer to our Epoxy Product
for both the straight curing agents and the mixed Guide for the reactive diluents available from
Air Products.
Table 6 Formulation Properties with 90% Bis-A-Based Liquid Resin / 10% Epodil 748 Diluent Blend
Modified Aliphatics
1608 1637LV 1638 1768 1784 1856 2071 2089M 2432
FORMULATION

PART A
Bis-A-Based Resin (EEW=190)–Parts 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90
Epodil 748 Diluent–Parts 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
PART B
Curing Agent–Parts 22.3 25.4 15.7 48.2 43.6 37 48.2 38.1 44.7

Curing Agent Viscosity, cP 3,500 1,500 100 220 50 3,000 700 100 300
Mixed Viscosity, cP 3,550 2,280 1,140 780 600 2,860 1,640 920 1,000
REACTIVITY
Gel Time, min, 150g mass at 77 °F (25 °C) 19 18 14 9 144 16 11 18 29
Thin Film Set Time, hr
at 77 °F (25 °C) 3.0 2.5 2.8 3.5 15 1.8 2.8 3.0 2.6
at 40 °F (5 °C) >44 10 15 7.5 >48 6.3 9.3 9.5 9.5
Physical Properties (after 7 day cure at 77 °F)

Compressive
Strength, psi 15,900 14,600 17,600 14,700 13,300 14,900 14,200 11,700 9,400
Modulus, thousand psi 364 356 402 347 350 368 373 319 286

Tensile
Strength, psi 8,200 11,200 10,700 9,900 7,400 11,200 10,000 10,100 7,500
Modulus, thousand psi 536 497 516 464 410 530 523 449 382
Elongation, % 1.8 3.4 2.6 5.9 4.0 3.3 2.6 4.2 7.6

Flexural
Strength, psi 17,700 21,400 15,800 15,400 12,400 17,400 18,200 15,900 11,800
Modulus, thousand psi 660 697 581 445 380 648 601 545 395
Tg, °F 158 148 133 137 115 143 133 135 123

Bond Strength to Damp Concrete, psi*

Cure at 72 °F <50 516 <50 248 336 627 672 669 718
Cure at 40 °F <50 <50 <50 <50 <50 366 101 635 475

*Formulations used for the bond strength test include 5 phr Ancamine K54 curing agent. NT= Not Tested

12
Cure Speed
Owners often demand a quick return to service for
repairs done on continually operating production
facilities and highways. Downtime costs can be
significantly higher than the cost of the job itself.
Fast cure is especially important in flooring, repair
mortars, paving compounds and anchor bolt
adhesives.
Cure speed was measured using the thin film
set time (TFST) test. TFST is an indicator of the time
Table 6 (Continued)
Modified Cycloaliphatics
1618
FORMULATION
needed for an applied epoxy to cure before it can be
put into service. Although greatly influenced by the
choice of curing agent, system set time also
depends on the choice of fillers and additives as
well as the applied thickness. Set time is highly
temperature-dependent and increases at lower
temperatures. In general, modified aliphatics, such
as Ancamine 2432, 2089M and 1856 curing agents,
offer very fast set times. Ancamine 2423 curing
agent, a modified cycloaliphatic, also offers very fast
Amidoamines / Polyamides
2074 2143 2280 2286 2368 2423 2137
set. These products can be used as straight curing
agents or as accelerators with other curing agents,
as summarized in Table 1.
Gel time, which is an indicator of pot life (the
time the applicator has to apply the formulated
product after mixing), was measured on a 150 gram
mass. The actual pot life of the formulated epoxy
system depends on the modifiers and fillers
added, the size of the mixing container and the
mixing temperature.
2349 2353 2396 501 502 506

PART A
Bis-A-Based Resin (EEW=190)–Parts 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90
Epodil 748 Diluent–Parts 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
PART B
Curing Agent–Parts 58 46.7 59 55.8 49 50.2 58 76.1 35 60 47.2 34.9 45.7 53.4

Curing Agent Viscosity, cP 400 60 600 450 60 200 1,200 1,800 800 3,000 680 600 300 250
Mixed Viscosity, cP 1,370 530 1,810 1,240 520 590 2,020 2,240 1,730 3,020 1,440 1,560 930 780
REACTIVITY
Gel Time, min, 150g mass at 77°F (25 °C) 74 55 82 79 55 35 21 43 59 56 145 46 126 406
Thin Film Set Time, hr
at 77 °F (25 °C) 7.3 8.3 9.3 8.8 10.5 6.0 4.5 3.5 6.8 4.5 12 10 13 35
at 40 °F (5 °C) NT 20 NT 29 NT 18 NT 20 31 25 35 NT >40 NT
Physical Properties (after 7 day cure at 77 °F)

Compressive
Strength, psi 9,500 11,800 10,400 6,900 11,400 11,900 10,100 3,800 13,800 12,000 10,900 13,200 8,700 8,100
Modulus, thousand psi 312 340 326 231 367 336 283 122 325 310 279 318 234 217

Tensile
Strength, psi 6,100 7,700 6,900 4,900 7,400 8,200 7,200 2,700 8,900 8,500 8,700 7,800 4,600 4,400
Modulus, thousand psi 204 400 189 218 191 254 337 128 463 376 190 352 211 98
Elongation, % 7.0 4.5 8.0 12 5.7 4.0 6.7 14 7.3 7.8 8.6 7.9 21 26

Flexural
Strength, psi 10,100 12,200 10,600 9,700 11,800 15,200 11,300 3,300 16,000 14,100 13,600 14,000 9,200 9,200
Modulus, thousand psi 378 450 383 303 431 467 394 96 475 407 389 396 259 257
Tg, °F 111 120 117 100 113 136 118 109 141 131 126 131 137 117

Bond Strength to Damp Concrete, psi*

Cure at 72 °F NT 604 NT 505 NT 393 NT 388 85 594 NT NT 91 NT
Cure at 40 °F NT 542 NT 310 NT 211 NT 129 <50 440 107 NT <50 NT

*Formulations used for the bond strength test include 5 phr Ancamine K54 curing agent. NT= Not Tested

13
 PRODUCT Strength and Modulus
PERFORMANCE DATA When developing an epoxy system, the formulator
(continued) should consider the strength limits of the substrate.
For Portland cement concrete, these limits normally
range from 350-600 psi for tensile; 3,000-5,000 psi
for compressive; and 1,500-2,500 psi for shear. In
some applications, such as trowelable floors, high-
strength epoxy systems can help spread point loads
across the concrete. When using these systems for
structural repairs, the modulus should be similar to
that of the substrate in order to achieve uniform load
transfer. If the repair is non-structural, however, a
lower modulus may be desired for stress relief and
vibration damping to reduce the potential for
cracking and delamination.
Unfilled curing agent formulations were tested
for compressive, tensile, and flexural strength and
modulus using ASTM standard methods.
Modified aliphatics, such as Ancamine 1637LV,
1638, 1856 and 2089M curing agents, give very
high strength and modulus with both diluted and
undiluted resin. Strength values imparted by
modified cycloaliphatics and amidoamines/
polyamides generally are not as high as for
modified aliphatics, but they are still far greater than
the strength of normal concrete and more than
adequate for most civil engineering applications.
For applications where lower modulus is
desired, amidoamines, such as Ancamide 2137,
502 and 506 curing agents, are recommended with
diluted resin. Strength and modulus data for model
filled flooring systems are included in our brochure,
Epoxy Curing Agents for Flooring Applications.

Table 7 ASTM C882 with Bis-A-Based Liquid Resin

2089M 2432 2074 2280 2353 2396
C882 – Slant Shear Bond Strength
Type I Class C (>60 °F)
2 day cure, psi 2,580 3,000 2,050 1,630 2,910 3,020
14 day cure, psi 3,240 2,930 2,650 2,560 2,900 2,940
Type II
14 day cure, psi 1,920 2,050
Note: Formulations used for the ASTM C882 test include 5 phr Ancamine K54 curing agent.

Table 8 ASTM C882 with 90% Bis-A-Based Liquid Resin / 10% Epodil 748 Diluent Blend
1856 2089M 2432 2074 2280 2353 2396
C882 – Slant Shear Bond Strength
Type I Class C (>60 °F)
2 day cure, psi 2,260 2,490 2,410 2,020 590 2,330 750
14 day cure, psi 2,090 2,660 2,240 3,330 2,100 2,200 2,490
Type II
14 day cure, psi 1,550 1,300 1,710
Type I Class B (40 °F–60 °F)
2 day cure, psi 2,530 2,620 1,280 1,630 660 310
14 day cure, psi 2,970 2,220 2,650 1,910 2,390 1,930
Note: Formulations used for the ASTM C882 test include 5 phr Ancamine K54 curing agent.

14
Bond Strength
Unfilled formulations were measured for:
• Bond strength to damp concrete using the direct
pull-off test after a seven-day cure at 72 °F and
40 °F, as described in the Appendix. Bonding to
damp concrete is more difficult than bonding to
dry, so dry concrete bond strength is expected to
be as good as or better than the reported bond to
damp concrete. Damp concrete bonding was
measured since many civil engineering
applications have the potential to be applied to
damp concrete under field conditions. Results
are shown in Tables 5 and 6.
• ASTM C882 slant shear bond strength for
selected products under Type I Class C (>60 °F),
Type II and Type I Class B (40 °F–60 °F)
conditions as specified in the ASTM C881
specification. ASTM C882 test results are
included for several curing agent formulations
in Tables 7 and 8.
Note: The formulations tested for bond strength all
included 5 phr of Ancamine K54 curing agent.
For coating-type applications, direct pull-off
tests are typically used (200 psi minimum is
typical), while slant shear bond strength tests are
often used for repair materials.
Most of the curing agents provide greater than
300 psi pull-off strength to damp concrete when
cured at 72 °F. However, when cured at 40 °F, there
is a wider range of results, with Ancamine 2432,
2074, 2280 and 2368 curing agents providing >300
psi with undiluted resin; and Ancamine 1856,
2089M, 2432, 2074 and 2280 and Ancamide 2353
curing agents giving >300 psi with diluted resin. At
low-temperature cure conditions, some products,
such as Ancamine 1608 and 1638 curing agents,
give a relatively poor bond to damp concrete (<50
psi), but the bond to dry concrete is expected to
be much better. Ancamine K54 curing agent is
recommended for use as an additive at the ≤ 5 phr
level to improve the epoxy system bond to dry or
damp concrete.
Chemical Resistance
Chemical resistance is often a major consideration
in choosing epoxy materials over alternative
chemistries. Chemical resistance is required in
flooring, secondary containment linings and other
applications. The material used must not degrade or
allow permeation of chemicals to the substrate.
For outstanding overall chemical resistance, we
recommend Ancamine 2432, 2280 or 2422 curing
agents (for use with novolac resins). Refer to Air
Products’ bulletin, Chemical Resistance for
Ambient Cure Epoxy Formulations, and the
Ancamine 2422 curing agent Technical Data Sheet
for product recommendations and test data for
specific reagents. In addition to the high-chemical
resistance cycloaliphatic and aliphatic curing agents
described in the bulletin, Ancamide 2396 and 2353
curing agents are recommended to give much better
chemical resistance than standard amidoamines
and polyamides.
Low-Temperature Cure
Almost all civil engineering applications rely on
ambient conditions for cure—the use of applied
heat is usually not feasible. In many cases, the
system must be formulated to cure under a wide
range of temperatures and humidity. Application at
low temperatures is often desired in civil
engineering to extend the season and help reduce
job delays. Some epoxy curing agents do not cure
well under low temperatures. For complete cure at
low temperatures (down to 40 °F or even lower), we
recommend modified cycloaliphatics as well as
Ancamine 2432, 1856, 1768 and 1637LV curing
agents. In addition, Ancamide 2353 and 2396
curing agents give more complete cure at low
temperatures than standard amidoamines and
polyamides.
Waterborne Systems
Waterborne epoxy formulations are used as sealers,
primers, block fillers and paints for concrete. They
offer better hardness, chemical resistance and
abrasion resistance than other waterborne polymers
(such as acrylics). Use of a waterborne system can
provide advantages in easier cleanup, reduced
solvent use and an environmentally friendly
perception. We recommend Anquamide 360 or
Anquamine 401 curing agents for sealers and
primers, and Anquamine 401 curing agent for floor
and wall paints. Refer to our Epoxy Product Guide
and the technical data sheets for more details.
Blush and Waterspot Resistance
Blush and waterspot resistance are important
performance attributes in flooring because of the
requirement for good appearance. Modified
cycloaliphatics offer good blush and waterspot
resistance, with Ancamine 2280 and 2143 curing
agents giving the best performance. In addition,
Ancamine 2089M curing agent gives the least
blush of the accelerator recommendations.
Ancamide 2396 and 2353 curing agents give
better blush resistance than standard amidoamines
and polyamides.
Increased Flexibility
Epoxies with greater flexibility are more resistant to
stresses that can cause fracture or disbondment.
High flexibility is needed in crack bridging
membranes and joint sealants.
Flexibility was measured using the tensile
elongation test. Some curing agents, such as
Ancamide 2137 and 506, can give moderate
flexibility when used with diluted resin. Ancarez
2364 modifier is recommended when high
elongation and formulating versatility are desired.
Ancamine 2390 curing agent gives high flexibility
with a 1:1 mix ratio. At lower use levels, Ancarez
2364 modifier can also be used to toughen epoxy
systems for improved impact resistance. Refer to Air
Products’ bulletin, Flexibilizing Epoxy Formulations,
for formulating guidelines.
15
 ASTM C881 SPECIFICATION ASTM C881, “Standard Specification for Epoxy
Resin Base Bonding Systems for Concrete,” is
sometimes referenced by formulators and users
of epoxy-based civil engineering products. The
specification lists seven product types for specific
applications. For each type, several specifications
are listed such as compressive strength, bond
strength and gel time. The specification also
references three grades according to product
flow characteristics and six classes for different
product application temperature ranges. A user can
specify the type, grade and class of the material
desired. Table 9 lists the types, grades and classes
that are included.
The performance of the formulated system
depends on all of the components, including the
curing agent, fillers, additives, resins, etc. The
curing agent, in particular, can have a major impact
on the performance of the product. Key parameters
for the ASTM C881 specification are ASTM C882
(slant shear bond strength) test results. ASTM C882
test results are shown in Tables 7 and 8 for several
unfilled curing agent formulations. Our
recommendations for Types I, II, III, IV and V are
summarized in Table 10 as a guide in helping the
formulator meet the ASTM C881 specifications.

Table 10
Curing Agent Recommendations
Table 9 ASTM C881 Classifications for ASTM C881 Types I–V
Type – Describes Application Grade
I Bonding hardened concrete to hardened concrete or other materials; non-load bearing 1 2 3
II Bonding fresh concrete to hardened concrete; non-load bearing Class
III Bonding skid-resistant material to hardened concrete; traffic-bearing surfaces A 2089M 1856 1856
(thermal/mechanical movement) 2432 2396
(II, V only)
IV Bonding hardened concrete to hardened concrete or other materials; load bearing
B 1856 2280 2280
V Bonding fresh concrete to hardened concrete; load bearing
2074 2353 2353
VI Bonding and sealing segmental precast elements with internal tendons and span-by-span 2089M 2396 2396
erection; temporary post-tensioning applied 2432
VII Sealing (nonstress) segmental precast elements; temporary post-tensioning not applied
C 2074 2280 2280
Grade – Describes Viscosity 2280 2353 2353
1 Low viscosity 2396 2396 2396
2432
2 Medium viscosity
Type III applications require a flexibilizer such as Ancarez
3 Non-sagging
2364 or Ancamine 2390. Grade 1 recommendations can be
Class – Describes Use Temperature (Substrate) During Application used to formulate Grade 3 systems for sag resistance using
thickening agents.
Types I–V
A Below 40 °F (4.5 °C)
B Between 40 and 60 °F (4.5 and 15.5 °C)
C Above 60 °F (15.5 °C)

Types VI–VII
D Between 40 and 65 °F (4.5 and 18.3 °C)
E Between 60 and 80 °F (15.5 and 26.7 °C)
F Between 75 and 90 °F (24.0 and 32.2 °C)
Color – Specified by Purchaser

16
APPENDIX
Test Methods
• Curing Agent Viscosity: At 77 °F, ASTM
D445-83, Brookfield RVTD, Spindle 4
• Mixed Viscosity: Viscosity of blended curing
agent and resin/diluent measured after
mixing for 4 minutes at 77 °F using ASTM
D445-83, Brookfield RVTD, Spindle 4.
• Gel Time (150 gram mass): Techne GT-4
Gelation Timer
• Thin Film Set Time (TFST): BK Drying
Recorder
• Compressive Strength and Modulus:
ASTM D695-85
• Tensile Strength, Modulus and Elongation:
ASTM D638-86
• Flexural Strength and Modulus: ASTM
D790-86
• Tg (Glass Transition Temperature):
ASTM D3418-82
• Bond Strength to Damp Concrete:
ASTM 4541. Samples were prepared by
immersing blocks of ASTM C109 cement
mortar in water for 24 hours. The blocks
were then removed from the water, the
excess water was wiped from the surface,
and formulated epoxy was applied
immediately. The epoxy was allowed to
cure for seven days before testing.
• Slant Shear Bond Strength: ASTM C882
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