Glycol Diacrylate, often recognized under the abbreviation GDA, stands out as a key chemical raw material for many polymerization processes. It carries the HS Code 291614, which helps with international shipping and trade identification. Chemically, Glycol Diacrylate belongs to a family of monomers that bridge between acrylates and diols. Its structure pulls together two acrylate groups joined by an ethylene glycol linker. The molecular formula is C8H10O4, offering a molecular weight near 170.16 g/mol. From an industrial point of view, Glycol Diacrylate often comes supplied as a clear, nearly colorless liquid, though under some conditions and lower temperatures, the crystalline form, flakes, or even powder become possible.
The physical state of Glycol Diacrylate tells a lot about its handling. In liquid form, its density lands around 1.09-1.13 g/cm³ at room temperature. This liquid carries a mild yet unique odor typical of acrylate compounds. Glycol Diacrylate has a boiling point that rises higher than 200°C, with a melting point just below room temperature. Flakes or powder appear white or nearly so and dissolve well in common organic solvents. Its moderate viscosity makes transfer and mixing straightforward using standard chemical pumps or stirrers.
This raw material draws manufacturers because of its balance between reactivity and stability. Glycol Diacrylate acts as a crosslinking agent during polymerization, bringing flexibility and toughness to cured resins—qualities essential in coatings, adhesives, dental materials, inks, and certain optical products. Its dual acrylate groups allow strong chain connections, helping to raise the final polymer’s mechanical strength or solvent resistance. GDA’s liquid state at most workshop temperatures helps inside industrial batches where precise metering and rapid blending are critical to avoid inconsistencies in the cured end product. The molecule’s moderate size has big effects on how easily it reacts, curing speed, and final product durability. The acrylate functionality allows for UV or thermal curing routes, opening up several processing options.
Across industry, Glycol Diacrylate moves in various forms—liquid, powder, solid, flakes, and occasionally as small pearls or crystalline particles. Liquid bulk remains most common thanks to ease of transport in drums or IBCs, but some users prefer solid or flakes for precise weighing or extended shelf stability. In crystal or pearl form, GDA appeals to users needing slow, steady dissolution for continuous processes. No matter the form, high purity and low water content play a big role in successful downstream use, especially where the final product needs clear appearance or high electrical or chemical performance.
Specification sheets specify key parameters, from purity above 95% or 98% (sometimes even higher for electronics) to residual acrylate content, color index, moisture, and stabilizer contents. Maintaining a tight density range ensures compatibility with the metering systems used in mixing lines. For labs or batch manufacturing, the specific gravity and viscosity numbers align directly with mixing and dosing equipment settings, reducing error during accelerated scale-ups. Some producers offer GDA solutions in specific concentrations (expressed in liters, often volumetrically verified) or pre-mixed with inhibitors to reduce risky polymerization in storage.
Handling Glycol Diacrylate safely is a non-negotiable part of working with chemicals. With its reactivity, GDA poses a risk if not controlled: skin and eye irritation, possible sensitization, and hazardous fumes during heating or polymerization. Personnel should always wear gloves, eye protection, and lab coats. In poorly ventilated or overheated spaces, vapors can build up and cause respiratory difficulty or trigger headaches. The substance does not ignite easily, but its acrylate chemistry means that it reacts fast with free-radical initiators, so stabilizers (like MEHQ or similar) become critical for shelf storage. Long-term stock should rest in cool, dry places inside dark, inert atmospheres, reducing risks from light, oxygen, or accidental heating. Waste streams require special chemical handling—even small quantities can exert environmental or biological impacts, so wastewater and wipe-down water should head for chemical waste disposal.
Given industry’s growing focus on lowering toxic exposure, Glycol Diacrylate raises ongoing evaluation. Some users switch to alternative crosslinkers with reduced sensitization traits. Plants have started improving ventilation, local exhaust, and containment practices, not simply relying on PPE. Companies can develop real-time monitoring for vapors or automate drum handling to reduce manual exposure chances. Substituting less volatile or less reactive acrylate monomers might lower risk, but it’s not always technically feasible—so regular staff training and audits keep safety efforts from fading over time.
A well-written Glycol Diacrylate description, covering chemical identity, density, forms, and hazards, serves as the foundation for safe, reliable use. No matter the application, clarity about what’s inside the drum—down to every last fraction of a percent—prevents production errors and keeps people safe. Overlooking physical or hazardous properties courts trouble, not just for health but for environmental impact and regulatory compliance. Within this web of chemical, technical, and legal worlds, good information, grounded in solid science and day-to-day lab or shop floor reality, carries real weight.
