Dipropylene Glycol Diacrylate stands out in the chemical industry as a clear, colorless liquid valued for its role in producing coatings, adhesives, and inks. The material doesn’t carry a sharp odor, which makes handling in manufacturing settings more manageable. Considered an acrylate ester, it features two acrylate functional groups, which gives it the ability to crosslink and form durable polymers under UV light. The chemical formula for Dipropylene Glycol Diacrylate reads C12H18O6, and you'll see the CAS number referenced as 57472-68-1. Its structure centers on two propylene glycol chains, each bonded with an acrylate group, enabling quick curing and solidification in the presence of a photoinitiator. The HS Code tied to import and export documentation is 29161400, important for businesses working across borders.
Dipropylene Glycol Diacrylate comes as a clear, slightly viscous liquid at room temperature, but under specific handling or temperature conditions, it might appear as a thick syrup. The density sits at about 1.06 g/cm³ at 25°C, making it heavier than water yet easier to pump and pour than many resins. In most markets, you’ll find it sold in liquid form, rarely in powder, solid, flake, or pearl states, because it doesn’t like to crystallize or solidify without chemical reactions. The molecular weight clocks in at 258.27 g/mol. Those working with plastics and surface coatings often rely on its low volatility and gentle odor, which helps keep fumes down and workspaces safer than many alternatives. Since it remains liquid at room temperature, storage calls for good ventilation and containers that shield the product from sunlight or UV sources, which set off the polymerization process.
Thanks to its reactive double bonds, Dipropylene Glycol Diacrylate serves as a preferred monomer for UV-curable systems. Manufacturers appreciate that it participates actively in free-radical polymerization without much hassle from side reactions. On the safety front, the compound doesn’t rank as acutely toxic in small exposures, but repeated or large-skin contact risks sensitization or irritation. It’s considered hazardous mainly because its liquid state can pass through gloves and skin if left unchecked, and vapor can irritate the respiratory tract in spaces without enough airflow. Anyone mixing it into raw material blends should wear suitable gloves, eye protection, and in some cases, respiratory gear to avoid headaches and skin rashes. Disposal means following local chemical handling rules to avoid water or soil contamination. Chemical spill protocols treat the material as both flammable and an irritant.
In the workplace, Dipropylene Glycol Diacrylate rarely stands alone. Printers, packaging companies, and industrial paint producers mix it with other acrylate monomers to lower viscosity and boost application flow on surfaces. Once it cures, you get a tough, impact-resistant material that resists yellowing. The ink and coatings industry depends on this property, particularly for labels exposed to sunlight or rough handling. In personal experience, waterborne UV systems benefit from the material’s low odor and strong crosslinking ability, keeping final products safe for touch but robust against daily wear. While its use cuts drying times and energy demands, stricter ventilation requirements must support worker health, as repeated inhalation or direct contact builds health hazards over time. Modern manufacturing now monitors vapor levels and proper PPE on the production line, and those steps make a big difference to safety.
On the commercial side, product purity runs over 95% in reputable batches. Water content and inhibitors like MEHQ (monomethyl ether hydroquinone) get added to slow down unwanted reactions during storage. Each barrel must come clearly labeled with UN hazard codes and proper handling tips, as regulations demand rapid identification in the event of leaks or fire. Fire departments treat spilled Dipropylene Glycol Diacrylate as a Class II combustible, requiring foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide for firefighting. Small spill kits in the lab or shop rely on clay absorbent and sealed disposal bins to limit environmental exposure. In practice, I’ve seen production plants shift toward closed systems with automated mixing to stop manual contact. Frequent training on PPE, emergency washes for eyes and skin, and careful ingredient tracking help reduce exposure incidents. Sustainability calls for improved recycling techniques or development of lower-toxicity alternatives, but industry growth means a focus on smarter containment and rigorous health monitoring.
Dipropylene Glycol Diacrylate’s raw material roots start with propylene oxide and acrylic acid, both under tight regulation for purity and contamination control. Producers test incoming batches to verify water, acidity, and residue levels before the chemical ever exits storage. The supply chain depends on secure bulk transport, often with refrigerated or light-protected trucks to prevent accidental curing. In workplaces aiming to reduce staff risk, automation and real-time air quality checks shield workers from overexposure, while investment in better ventilation and stricter hazard communication standards reflects a growing push for transparency and long-term health. As demands for better, safer coatings rise, ongoing chemical safety education and pursuit of greener alternatives will stand as essential solutions to keep this versatile chemical a mainstay in manufacturing without compromising worker health or environmental integrity.
