AKPEROX® Organic Peroxides

AKPEROX® Organic Peroxides consist of catalysts and initiators used to manufacture and modify the physical properties of resins, compounds, and elastomers used in a variety of industrial applications, including fiberglass manufacturing, gel coatings, filament winding, polymer concrete, and pultrusion. These peroxides provide functionality due to the chemically unstable oxygen–oxygen (O–O) double bond they contain. When exposed to heat or an active catalyst, they react and decompose to form organic free radicals that help initiate polymerization, cross-linking, and curing.

AKPEROX® peroxides include chemistries such as methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP), dibenzoyl peroxide, and tert-butyl peroxybenzoate. These products are offered with various active oxygen content and diluents and are used in both room-temperature and high-temperature reactions. MEKP is typically used in curing unsaturated polyester resins used in spray-up and hand lay-up fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) applications. It may also be used in curing gel coats, filament winding, and polymer concrete. Dibenzoyl peroxides are typically offered mixed with plasticizers and are used as catalysts to cure polyester putties and marble and stone adhesives. Tert-butyl peroxybenzoates in the AKPA portfolio are used in higher-temperature reaction mixtures and used to cure polyester and vinyl ester resins.

When using AKPEROX® products, it is important to pay attention to proper handling and storage procedures to ensure product safety and longevity.

Slow or improper curing of unsaturated polyester resins 
Bubbles or cracks in the surface of gel coats  
Failure to polymerize monomers 
Poor physical properties of elastomers or plastics