Huntsman Advanced Materials is the leading producer of polymercaptan epoxy curing agents in the world.  The original and only domestic source with global capabilities including compliance with REACH Regulations. Polymercaptans are used when the speed of cure is important in products that require toughness, durability or strong adhesion. They are able to cure epoxies rapidly at low temperatures. Since their speed of cure is less sensitive to the mass of material than other hardeners, they can give rapid cures in thin-films.

Polymercaptan is lower in toxicity compared to other hardeners, light in color and has excellent adhesion to metals, glass, concrete, wood.  Polymercaptan is also used to accelerate other amines and polyamides.

Polymercaptans are ideal for a wide variety of applications: consumer and industrial adhesives, coatings, sealants, industrial patch and filler kits, floor and flooring repair, encapsulation.

example of polymercaptan epoxy for coatings manufacturers

Applications of Polymercaptan

example of poly mercaptan epoxy application for floor coating suppliers

The unique characteristic of poymercaptan cured epoxies is their ability to cure rapidly at ambient and low temperatures even in thin layers. Polymercaptan provides both a rapid cure speed (less than five minutes) and excellent bond strength to materials such as glass and concrete.  It’s  hardness development properties also make it an ideal curing agent for products used in DIY consumer, automotive, construction and concrete markets, and various other industrial products including:

  • Industrial adhesives: Solar panels, insulated glass, bonding metals, glass and plastics, jewelry,
    emergency repairs
  • Consumer / DIY: adhesives General repairs, crafts
  • Construction: Concrete patch & crack filling, anchor bolts, grouts, chocking materials
  • Floor coatings: Base coats, top coats, repairs
  • Encapsulation: Microscopy samples, microelectronic assemblies, electrical components
  • Automotive Aftermark: Adhesive & sealants
  • Electrical / electronics: Potting, attaching components to circuit boards

Polymercaptan Properties

Polymercaptan epoxy formulations are generally blends of polymers and additives that meet detailed product specification requirements (including substrates/adherents, field usage conditions, service life durability) and  the end-customer’s application process (equipment capabilities, curing, speed of assembly line, etc.).

Main Types of Polymercaptan Epoxy Curing Agents
The choice of a particular curing agent or catalyst depends on the processing requirements (e.g., viscosity, pot life, application method, curing temperature, rate of reactivity, mix ratio) and  the end-use requirements (e.g., thermal and chemical resistance, shear strength, toughness) of the cured adhesive. The curing agents along with the epoxy resin will determine the type of chemical bonds and the degree of crosslinking that will occur.

Curing agents can also be used to improve the flexibility of inherently rigid epoxy resins.

Huntsman Advanced Materials manufactures the CAPCURE® and GABEPRO brand of polymercaptan curing agent. CAPCURE® and GABEPRO are available with a wide range of properties offering exceptionally rapid cure speed and hardness development.

Rapid Cure

Good Adhesion To Different Substrates

Low-Temperature Cure

Low Toxicity

Thin Film Cure

Excellent Color

Co-Cure Capability

CAPCURE® POLYMERCAPTAN

CAPCURE® 3-800

A poly-mercaptan terminated polymer is used as a liquid curing agents. Capcure 3-800 imparts rapid cure rate with unique rapid-cure characteristics for epoxy resins at ambient temperatures on systems at low temperatures and in thin films. It can also be used to accelerate other epoxy curing agents, such as amines, polyamides, and amidoamines. It is a low toxicity compound with exceptional color.

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CAPCURE® 3830-81

An amine-catalyzed epoxy curative polymercaptan for quick sets at ambient room temperature. Capcure 3830-81 can be used as the single curing agent, or as an accelerator for amine or amide chemistries. In addition to low toxicity, Capcure 3830-81 has an exceptional low-temperature cure capability and accelerated cure times of three to five minutes.

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CAPCURE® 40 SEC HV

A polymercaptan-based epoxy hardener that provides gel times of 40 seconds with a standard Bisphenol A epoxy resin mixed at a 1:1 ratio under ambient conditions. This mercaptan curing agent improves bonds between glass and metal, especially brass and bronze. It is ideal for two-component mixing equipment in assembly line use when mixed at a 1:1 epoxy/hardener ratio. Capcure 40 Sec HV can be used as a catalyst or co-curing material, where it will impart properties typical of polymercaptans while providing improved adhesion and applications of mercaptan in glue.

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CAPCURE® 3850-101

An easy-to-use poly-mercaptan epoxy curing agent with reduced odor, Capcure 3850-101 provides a non-yellowing casting color. The amine additive in Capcure 3850-101 is formaldehyde free and is less sensitive to the addition of a chelator that can be used help reduce skinning problems.

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GABEPRO POLYMERCAPTAN

GABEPRO GPM-800

A mercaptan terminated polymer used as a liquid curing agent with unique rapid-cure characteristics for epoxy resins at ambient temperatures. GPM-800 imparts rapid cure rates on systems at low temperatures and in thin films and is a low mercaptan toxicity compound with exceptional color. It can also be used to accelerate other epoxy curing agents, such as amines, polyamides and amidoamines.

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GABEPRO GPM-800 LO

A low-odor, polymeric mercaptan terminated polymer used as a liquid curing agent with unique rapid-cure characteristics for epoxy resins at ambient temperatures. GPM-800 LO imparts rapid cure rates on systems at low temperatures and in thin films. It is a low toxicity compound with exceptional color. It can also be used to accelerate other epoxy curing agents, such as amines, polyamides, and amidoamines.

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GABEPRO GPM-830 CB

A mercaptan-based epoxy hardener that provides gel time of approximately 30 minutes with a standard Bisphenol A epoxy resin mixed at a 1:1 ratio at ambient conditions. This material is ideal for two-component mixing equipment in assembly line use when mixed at a 1:1 epoxy/hardener ratio. GPM-830 CB can be used as a catalyst or co-curing material where it will impart properties typical of mercaptans used in epoxy 2-part adhesive and provide improved adhesion.

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GABEPRO GPM-888

Amine-catalyzed epoxy curing mercaptan formulated for quick sets at room temperature. GPM-888 can be used as the single curing agent, or as an accelerator for amine or amide chemistries. In addition to low toxicity, GPM-888 has an exceptional low-temperature cure capability and accelerated cure times of three to five minutes.

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GABEPRO GPM-890 CB

A mercaptan-based epoxy hardener that provides gel time of approximately 90 seconds with a standard Bisphenol A epoxy resin mixed at a 1:1 ratio under ambient conditions. This mercaptan-curing agent improves bonds between glass and metal, especially brass and bronze. GPM-890 CB is ideal for two-component mixing equipment in assembly line use when mixed at a 1:1 epoxy/hardener ratio. It can be used as a catalyst or co-curing material, where it will impart properties typical of mercaptans while providing improved adhesion.

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GABEPRO GPM-891

An easy-to-use epoxy curing agent with reduced mercaptan odor, GPM-891 provides a non-yellowing casting color. The amine additive in GPM-891 is formaldehyde free and is less sensitive to the addition of a chelator that can be used help reduce skinning problems.

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GABEPRO GPM-895 FC

A mercaptan-based epoxy hardener that provides gel times of 40 seconds with a standard Bisphenol A epoxy resin mixed at a 1:1 ratio under ambient conditions. This mercaptan curing agent improves bonds between glass and metal, especially brass and bronze. It is ideal for two-component mixing equipment in assembly line use when mixed at a 1:1 epoxy/hardener ratio. GPM-895 FC can be used as a catalyst or co-curing material, where it will impart properties typical of mercaptans while providing improved adhesion.

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WHERE TO BUY POLYMERCAPTAN

Choose Huntsman Advanced Materials as your polymercaptan supplier

  • Catalyzed, epoxy curing agents custom formulated to deliver the ideal cure time for your applications
  • Continuous process improvements include low-odor formulations and specialty blends
  • The world’s manufacturing expert and the world’s low-cost producer and supplier of mercaptans
  • The original and only domestic source with global capabilities
  • Formulary knowledge and technical service – more than just a product
  • 1:1 Mix ratio with epoxy resins

Buy polymercaptan directly from Huntsman Advanced Materials (Gabepro). Huntsman Advanced Materials outperforms other poly-mercaptan suppliers or vendors with knowledgable technical support, product range and competitive pricing. Contact us for a polymercaptan MSDS or mercaptan SDS sheet.

Researching polymercaptan? For a full definition of polymercaptans /define mercaptan Wiki / Wikipedia.