Diethylene Glycol Diacrylate, known in chemical circles as DEGDA, carries the molecular formula C10H14O6. Its CAS number is 4074-88-8, and under international trade, the material falls under HS Code 2916.14.00. With two acrylate groups linked by a diethylene glycol bridge, this liquid stands as a specialty monomer in the world of polymer chemistry. In its raw form, DEGDA appears clear, colorless, and viscous with a faint, characteristic odor. The molecular weight checks in at about 230.22 g/mol. Its chemical makeup puts it in the category of acrylate esters, which gives it a reputation for rapid reactivity in free-radical initiated polymerizations.
Diethylene Glycol Diacrylate typically stays in a liquid state at room temperature, boasting a density close to 1.107 g/cm³. The solution is neither oily nor exceptionally volatile, so spills don’t evaporate quickly. It dissolves well in acetone, methanol, and common organic solvents. Users sometimes encounter forms like flakes, pearls, or powder depending on how the raw material is processed or stored, but most commercial lots arrive as a liquid due to production convenience. DEGDA’s double acrylate groups offer two points for crosslinking, creating robustness in cured networks and explaining its popularity in high-performance resins. If you freeze it, DEGDA can turn into a glassy, solid mass, and at elevated temperatures it becomes less viscous, slipping and pouring with more ease.
In chemical structure, DEGDA contains ethylene glycol units interrupted by acrylate ends. Under UV or peroxide initiation, the double bonds react fast, so you’ll see widespread use in coatings, adhesives, and certain 3D printing compounds. Its refractive index sits at about 1.45, and boiling point falls above 200°C, indicating thermal stability within typical handling ranges. Water solubility remains low, which helps in applications where moisture resistance makes a difference. Engineers appreciate DEGDA’s flexibility in resin recipes for balancing hardness and elasticity.
You come across Diethylene Glycol Diacrylate in polymer manufacture, where it acts as a crosslinking agent. It serves as a mainstay in UV-cured coatings, inks, adhesives, and dental materials, because it cures fast and gives finished products the right mix of toughness and flexibility. The ability to tailor mechanical properties by careful adjustment of DEGDA in a formulation has caused it to win fans across automotive, electronics, and even textile industries. Dental labs reach for it when making shaped components by light-curing, thanks to low shrinkage and biocompatibility with correct post-curing. As DEGDA acts as both a monomer and a crosslinker, formulators save time and money using a single material for walks in both worlds.
The building blocks (raw materials) for DEGDA come from diethylene glycol and acrylic acid, both staples in large-scale chemical production. Each batch owes its purity and consistency to careful synthesis and purification, especially since even small impurities can affect how complete the curing reaction gets. Manufacturers focus on reliable sourcing, maintaining well-documented chains of custody to meet safety and regulatory demands. In many plant settings, DEGDA works as a workhorse for modifying viscosity, giving products better flow for modern application equipment.
On the topic of handling, Diethylene Glycol Diacrylate deserves respect for both its reactivity and toxicity potential. It’s not classed among the most dangerous chemicals, but exposure can cause irritation, and enough contact with skin brings redness or burns. Vapors can irritate eyes and lungs, so plant workers regularly put on gloves, safety goggles, and proper respirators when pouring or measuring. Besides the health hazards, DEGDA is a flammable liquid and reacts with strong oxidizers. Any spills or leaks need immediate cleanup using absorbent materials, and facilities install proper ventilation systems to keep vapors away from ignition sources.
Safe storage brings its own rules. Keeping containers tightly closed in cool, dry places away from sunlight slows down unwanted polymerization or degradation. Suppliers often blend small amounts of polymerization inhibitors to extend DEGDA’s shelf life. Waste must go to licensed chemical disposal facilities — down the drain or into landfill won’t cut it due to environmental risks. Regulatory frameworks such as OSHA, REACH, and GHS lay out compulsory labeling, transport, and recordkeeping requirements. Packaging always lists standard hazard pictograms for “Harmful” and “Irritant,” along with instructions for safe handling and first aid.
Finished DEGDA comes with a detailed product data sheet, documenting purity, color (APHA scale), viscosity in cP at specified temperatures, and residual acid content. Purchasers check for absence of crystals, absence of strong odor, and a certificate of analysis for each batch. While most of the supply chain works with liquids shipped in drums or IBC totes, some laboratories handle smaller samples as flakes or crystals for research and QA testing. The buyers want reliable specs because contaminants or unexpected byproducts can turn a smooth process into an expensive headache. The defined density makes meter dosing predictable; the molecular structure allows process chemists to model end-properties of cured networks with confidence.
Diethylene Glycol Diacrylate continues to fill an essential role in materials science and engineering—not as a commodity, but as a refined ingredient for advanced production. Firms looking for improved efficiency or high-value features in finished products pay close attention to the sources, quality assurance programs, and packaging standards for each liter or kilogram shipped. Both large-scale and specialty manufacturers see real-world results in durability, finish, and safety, provided the supply chain holds strong attention to detail at every step.
