Oxazoline Group-Containing Polymer: EPOCROS™ Oxazoline group-containing polymer

Main Applications

In 1990, Nippon Shokubai became the first company in the world to successfully commercialize the functional polymer EPOCROS™, which is built on the basic technologies of the American chemical company Dow, as well as with our accumulated synthetic organic chemistry and polymer science technologies.
Recently, there have been increasing expectations worldwide for the development of environmentally-friendly and safety-focused products, with a strong trend toward products that are VOC-Compliant and water-based by desolventing. EPOCROS™ is meeting these expectations, as seen in its use by a variety of customers.
EPOCROS™ is recognized in the market as being particularly unique as a crosslinker with a relatively rare polymer structure.
EPOCROS™ is manufactured and sold under a license from the American chemical company Dow, and is subject to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Export Control Regulations, under which it is classified as EAR99.
This means that when exporting and/or selling EPOCROS™ to specific countries, regions, organizations, individuals, and other entities as designated by the U.S. government, permission must be obtained in advance from the U.S. government. Therefore, please ensure strict compliance with all relevant export control laws and regulations of the U.S.
(Further details regarding U.S. export control regulations can be obtained from websites of various U.S. government departments, including: http://www.bis.doc.gov/index.htm)

EPOCROS™

Illustration of EPOCROS™
Classification of EPOCROS™

Product Overview

Product Types, Properties and Features

TypeEmulsionWater-soluble
Series NameK-2000 SeriesWS Series
Item NumberK-2010EK-2020EK-2035EWS-300WS-500WS-700
AppearanceMilky white emulsionColorless or pale red liquidPale yellow liquid
TypeSoftMediumHardHigh oxazoline
VOC free
StandardVOC free
Non-Volatile Matter (wt%)40103925
SolventWaterWaterWater/PM*5Water
pH7-97-108-107-10
Main Chains of PolymersStyrene/AcrylicAcrylic
WPO*1550130220
Oxazoline Group Amount*21.87.74.5
Tg(℃)-50*30*350*390*350*450*4
Molecular WeightMnNot measurable4×1042×1042×104
MwNot measurable12×1047×1044×104
Common Features
  • VVOC free, One-pack type with long usage time
  • Adjustable texture using Tg
    Improves water resistance, solvent resistance, heat resistance, and the strength of films, etc.
    Good adhesion to polyester
    Fast drying
  • One-pack type with long usage time
  • Highly reactive compared to emulsion type
  • Improves water resistance, solvent resistance, heat resistance, and the strength of films, etc.
  • Adhesion-imparting to PET, OPP, PVC, etc.
  • Fast drying
The values in the table are representative values, and not standard values.
*1 Oxazoline value (Weight per oxazoline equivalent; g-solid/eq.): Theoretical value
*2 Oxazoline group amount (mmol/g-solid): Theoretical value
*3 Calculated value
*4 Actual measurement value
*5 5 PM = 1-Methoxy-2-Propanol

Details of Functions

Reactivity of Oxazoline Groups

Reactivity with Carboxyl Groups

  1. Has the highest reactivity with carboxyl groups, which are introduced into many waterborne resins.
  2. Generates stable amide ester bonds after reacting with carboxyl groups, without producing any byproducts.
  3. Reactivity with carboxyl groups progresses rapidly at temperatures of 80°C – 100°C and above.
  4. Reactivity with carboxyl groups progresses slowly indoors (at room temperature).
  5. Reactivity of oxazoline groups with carboxyl groups is better than with epoxy groups.
  6. Oxazoline groups also react with aromatics such as thiol groups and phenol groups, but do not react with alcoholic hydroxyl groups.
Chemical Structure

Model Reactivity of Oxazoline Groups (Ethyl Oxazoline/Propionic Acid)

Graph of Reaction rate - Reaction time
Graph of Reaction rate - Reaction time

Reactivity Conditions: Ethyl oxazoline/Propionic acid = 1/1 (mol/mol), Solvent-free reaction, Phenyl glycidyl ether/Propionic acid = 1/1 (mol/mol), Solvent-free reaction
Analysis Method: Gas Chromatography Method

Safety

Safety and National Laws and Regulations

EPOCROS™ is a highly safe crosslinker with low toxicity.

Safety Data

 Ames TestPrimary Skin Irritation Test
(Rabbit)
Acute Toxicity
(Oral, Rat, LD50)
Fish Toxicity
(Japanese Rice Fish (Himedaka), LC50, 96 hours)
K-2010ENegativeNone2000mg/kg min.1000mg/L min.
K-2020ENegativeNone2000mg/kg min.1000mg/L min.
K-2035ENegativeNone2000mg/kg min.100mg/L min.
WS-300NegativeSlight irritation
P.I.I. = 0.2
2000mg/kg min.
WS-500NegativeNone2000mg/kg min.1000mg/L min.
WS-700NegativeNone2000mg/kg min.1000mg/L min.
– : データ無し

National Laws and Regulations (As of August 2021)

 Chemical Substances Control Act (CSCA)
(Japan)
TSCA
(U.S.)
REACH
(Europe)
KECL
(Korea)
IECSC
(China)
K-2010E*Pre-notifiedPlease inquire
K-2020E××Please inquire
K-2035E*Pre-notifiedPlease inquire
WS-300Please inquire**Please inquire
WS-500*Pre-notified
WS-700*Pre-notified
○: Registered, ○: Registered (with quantity limits), ○*: Registered (importer registration required), ×: Not registered.
Please be sure to read the Chemical Products Safety Data Sheet (SDS) when handling this product.

Catalog