Triethylene Glycol Diacrylate goes by the common abbreviation TEGDA. Chemically, it falls under the family of acrylate monomers and looks like a clear, colorless liquid at room temperature. Its molecular formula stands as C14H20O6, with a molecular weight that lands around 284.31 g/mol. This material doesn't turn powdery, flaky, or pearled—it almost always shows up in a liquid state, with a faint, characteristic odor that reminds some people of esters mixed with a bit of sharpness. Since triethylene glycol forms the backbone and both ends open up to acrylate groups, its reactivity with other materials gets a kick, especially during polymerization processes. Structure-wise, it features a chain of three ethylene glycol units capped on either end with an acrylate group, making it flexible enough for various roles and tough under crosslinking reactions.
Anyone handling TEGDA should keep density in mind—this material shows a specific gravity around 1.085 g/cm³ at 20°C. Don't expect to find it as flakes, powder, or crystals; it holds as a viscous liquid that pours easily but can form films fast when exposed to reactive agents like UV light. Solubility matters for many uses, and TEGDA mixes well with various organic solvents. Water doesn’t dissolve it much, so spills usually float and spread thin. Boiling point stretches past 200°C, but thermal decomposition kicks in if heat gets too high. Always store it under cool, dry conditions, far away from open flames or strong oxidizers. Material safety data points out that TEGDA dries on surfaces, sticking hard and resisting washes unless solvents come into play.
On the industrial side, TEGDA gets shipped and sold under the HS Code 29161400. This code helps customs and regulators track movement of organic acyclic polycarboxylic acids, their anhydrides, halides, peroxides, peroxyacids, and their derivatives—including esters like TEGDA. Specifications for raw materials often mention minimum purity levels (over 95% for most technical uses), color less than 50 APHA, and low acidity. I’ve seen suppliers stress trace moisture content, since water can set off unwanted polymerization. While one might hope to find powder or pellet forms like with some other additives, TEGDA simply prefers being a fast-pouring liquid, coming in drums or plastic containers lined to avoid contamination.
TEGDA surfaces everywhere in UV-curable systems, inks, and adhesives. Formulators add it to increase crosslink density, which brings toughness and chemical resistance to cured films or coatings. Dental devices, 3D printing resins, and electronics all draw on the special balance between flexibility and rigidity that TEGDA can achieve in the final product. Paints and varnishes use it for scratch resistance, while adhesives for flexible packaging exploit its bond strength. Since the acrylate groups on both ends love reacting during curing, you get a network structure that locks in mechanical and chemical performance with speed. Even when mixed with other acrylates, TEGDA never fully blends away—it always plays a part in the final structure thanks to strong reactivity.
Every chemical brings risks, and TEGDA has a few points that demand proper handling. It irritates skin, eyes, and mucous membranes—protective gear like gloves, goggles, and lab coats are part of the job when handling drums or decanting into mixing vessels. Spill cleanups go fast using absorbent materials followed by solvent treatment, but never let it run into groundwater. It is considered harmful if swallowed or breathed, and users ought to make sure working areas have good air circulation. Storage calls for sealed, inert containers and regular checks for leaks or pressure build-up, especially since old product can self-polymerize. Waste streams need careful labeling, and local environmental agencies may classify leftovers as hazardous or harmful chemical waste, requiring controlled disposal. Material safety data sheets warn against heat, sunlight, and strong oxidizers—the usual enemies of acrylic monomers.
Regulatory requirements follow its classification as both an irritant and an environmentally sensitive material. Importers need to watch for restrictions under frameworks like REACH (European Union) or TSCA (United States). Any downstream product that uses TEGDA, whether for consumer or industrial applications, needs to document presence and quantities. Documentation trails help in tracing incidents like accidental releases, and transparency with end users keeps everyone safer. Large-scale users run regular audits of suppliers, checking not only purity and color, but also sources of raw ethylene glycol and acrylate precursors, since upstream quality influences end-use reliability.
The need for durable, fast-setting, and long-lasting resins continues to grow, from electronics to construction. TEGDA’s ability to strengthen networks inside polymers has become a staple in advanced coatings, especially those needing scratch resistance and stability. I’ve seen tech companies and researchers favor acrylates like TEGDA for new processes, pushing the boundaries of 3D printing, flexible circuits, and medical device encapsulation. It moves quietly through the system—nobody outside specialty chemistry circles talks about it, but its contribution shows up every time a product outlives its expected wear. Knowing the chemical’s profile helps engineers, buyers, and safety officers make smart decisions, both for workplace safety and for the traceability of goods that people rely on every day.
