DPHA monomer (CAS 29570-58-9): the core driver of light curing material upgrades
The rise of DPHA from an industry perspective
Global manufacturing is facing two major challenges: stricter environmental regulations and accelerated product performance iteration. For example, the EU’s REACH Regulation has tightened restrictions on VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions year by year, while the consumer electronics industry has almost demanding requirements for coating scratch resistance, fingerprint resistance and other properties. In this context, UV light curing technology has become the preferred solution in fields such as coatings, electronics, and 3D printing due to its advantages of rapid curing, low energy consumption, and zero solvent emissions. As a key component in light curing formulations, DPHA monomer (CAS 29570-58-9) is becoming an “invisible engine” that is driving technological upgrades in the industry through its unique chemical structure and performance.115
Main content: a three-part analysis of technology, applications, and the market
1. Technological advantages: the irreplaceability of DPHA monomers
(1) Hyperbranched structure for high cross-linking density
The molecular formula of DPHA (di-pentaerythritol hexaacrylate) is C28H34O13, with six acrylate functional groups forming a three-dimensional hyperbranched network structure. This design makes the cross-linking density significantly higher after curing than that of traditional three-functional monomers (such as TMPTA), thereby improving the hardness (up to 6H or more), abrasion resistance (Taber abrasion value reduced by 30%), and chemical resistance (alcohol wipe resistance of more than 10,000 times) of the coating.
(2) A balance of low viscosity and high reactivity
Despite its high functional group content, DPHA has a viscosity of only 800-1,200 mPa·s at 25°C (compared to 2,000 mPa·s or more for similar hexa-functional monomers). This property allows it to be used directly in formulations without the need for large amounts of diluents, reducing VOC emissions and simplifying the production process. At the same time, its light curing speed can reach 0.5 seconds to complete surface drying, significantly improving production efficiency.110
(3) Broad compatibility and stability
DPHA is highly compatible with epoxy acrylate, polyurethane acrylate and other resin systems, and has a thermal stability of 200°C or higher, making it suitable for high-temperature processing environments. In addition, it complies with RoHS and Halogen-Free standards, meeting the stringent requirements of the electronics industry for material safety.
2. Application scenarios: How DPHA empowers industrial upgrading
(1) Consumer electronics: the “invisible armor” of high-end coatings
Take smartphones as an example. DPHA is used in UV-cured coatings to achieve scratch resistance (pencil hardness ≥ 4H), fingerprint resistance (contact angle > 110°) and high light transmittance (> 92%). An international brand supplier increased the coating yield rate from 85% to 98% by adding 8% DPHA, saving more than 2 million US dollars a year.
(2) Automotive manufacturing: key material for green coatings
In automotive primers, the rapid curing properties of DPHA can increase production line speed by 25% while reducing baking energy consumption by 50%. Industry reports indicate that UV coatings using DPHA already account for 32% of the European automotive coatings market and are gradually replacing traditional solvent-based products.
(3) 3D printing: a breakthrough in precision manufacturing
When used in photosensitive resins, the low shrinkage rate (<3%) and high precision (layer thickness up to 25μm) of DPHA make it stand out in the printing of dental models and aerospace components. Compared with ordinary resins, the tensile strength of DPHA-based materials is increased by 40%, supporting the molding of complex structures.
(4) Green packaging: safety and efficiency
DPHA is FDA food contact certified and has no migration risk after curing in food-grade UV inks. After a packaging company adopted inks containing DHA, the printing speed increased to 150 meters per minute, and it also passed the EU EN 71-3 heavy metal testing standard.
3. Market trends: DHA’s golden growth period
(1) Policy-driven rigid demand growth
Globally, China’s 14th Five-Year Plan clearly includes UV materials in the green manufacturing priority catalog, while the US EPA’s fines for industrial VOC emissions have risen to 48,000 USD/ton. It is estimated that by 2030, the market size of light-curing materials will exceed 25 billion USD, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.2%, of which DPHA will account for more than 15%.
(2) The long-term value of cost optimization
Although the unit price of DPHA is 20%-30% higher than that of traditional monomers, its overall advantages of reducing the amount of diluent (about 30%), reducing energy consumption (saving 15% on electricity costs) and extending equipment life can reduce overall production costs by 8%-12%. Taking an enterprise with an annual output of 5,000 tons of coatings as an example, the annual comprehensive cost savings can be 1.2-1.8 million yuan.
(3) Innovation opportunities in emerging fields
In the field of flexible displays, DPHA is used in foldable screen OCA optical adhesives, which can withstand more than 200,000 bending cycles. In the packaging of new energy batteries, its resistance to electrolyte corrosion can extend the battery life by 15%. It is predicted that in 2025-2030, these emerging applications will contribute 40% of the demand for DPHA.
Customer case: data validates the effectiveness of DPHA
Case 1: the transformation practice of a global coatings giant
A company added 5% DPHA to its automotive clear coat formulation, achieving:
- a reduction in curing time from 3 minutes to 45 seconds;
- an increase in QUV weathering test time from 1,000 hours to 2,500 hours;
- a 35% reduction in customer complaints and an 800,000 USD annual reduction in rework costs.110
Case 2: 3D printing service provider breakthrough
A medical model printing company adopted DPHA-based resins, achieving:
- The printing accuracy improved from 50μm to 20μm;
- the material utilization rate increased from 70% to 92%;
- and the production cost per piece was reduced by 18%.915
Core elements to enhance credibility
- Authoritative certification: DPHA has passed ISO 9001 quality management system certification and complies with the REACH Annex XVII list of restricted substances.710
- Visualized data support: Molecular structure (C28H34O13), viscosity-temperature curve and QUV aging comparison test chart 15 are available.
- Supply chain guarantee: Major global suppliers such as Sartomer and Aronix provide large-scale production, and the proportion of localized supply in China has exceeded 60%.