FILCO epoxy-novolac film formers
Epoxy-novolac dispersions for higher temperature resistance. Four grades from a soft uncured film to high functionality, including one reformulated for reduced skin sensitization.
Epoxy-novolac dispersions for higher temperature resistance. Four grades from a soft uncured film to high functionality, including one reformulated for reduced skin sensitization.
Epoxy-novolac is what you move to when a standard bisphenol epoxy will not hold the service temperature. The novolac backbone carries more epoxy groups per chain, so the cured network is more densely crosslinked, and a denser network softens at a higher temperature.
COIM publishes this family as non-ionic dispersions across a range of molecular weights and functionalities, with increased high temperature resistance as the stated application characteristic. Functionality is the variable to read here, because it is what sets crosslinking density.
Four grades are published. FILCO 345 is the reference at 200 g/eq, described as soft when uncured with medium crosslinking density once cured. FILCO 345HP is the same chemistry at 63 percent solids against 55. FILCO 74005 is the high functionality resin at 280 g/eq, published for higher crosslinking density and carrying the highest Tg in the family at 55 degrees F.
FILCO 8004 is a reformulation rather than a performance grade. COIM published it with decreased low molecular weight content specifically to decrease skin sensitization. Low molecular weight epoxy fractions are the ones that sensitize, and 8004 is the answer where operator exposure is the driver.
It is also written as epoxy novolac sizing, high temperature film former, EPN sizing, and ECN sizing.
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | Epoxy-novolac in non-ionic dispersion |
| Carrier | Water based, non ionic |
| Epoxy equivalent weight | 200 to 280 g/eq depending on grade |
| Solids content | 45 to 63 percent depending on grade |
| Average particle size | 300 to 600 nm depending on grade |
| Tg range | 23 to 55 degrees F |
| Stated characteristic | Increased high temperature resistance |
| Published grades | 4 |
| Matrix | Thermoplastic and thermoset |
Typical values from the manufacturer's technical data sheet. They describe the product, they are not a specification. We will send the current TDS and the batch documentation your qualification needs.
Tell us the binder system, the property you are targeting, and the volume you expect. We will confirm the grade, send the documentation, and ship a sample from North American stock.
| Grade | Solids | Av. particle size | Tg | EEW | Main features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FILCO 345 | 55 percent | 600 nm | 23 degrees F | 200 g/eq | Soft when uncured, medium crosslinking density when cured |
| FILCO 345HP | 63 percent | 500 nm | 23 degrees F | 200 g/eq | Higher solids content |
| FILCO 74005 | 45 percent | 300 nm | 55 degrees F | 280 g/eq | High functionality resin, for higher crosslinking density |
| FILCO 8004 | 54 percent | 350 nm | 32 degrees F | 250 g/eq | Decreased low molecular weight content, for decreased skin sensitization |
Values are the manufacturer's published typical figures. Ask for the current technical data sheet on any grade and we will send it with the matching safety data sheet.
Where a bisphenol epoxy sizing softens before the part reaches service temperature.
FILCO 74005, the high functionality grade at 280 g/eq.
Epoxy-novolac is one of the chemistries in COIM's carbon range. Tell us the fiber and the matrix.
FILCO 8004, reformulated with decreased low molecular weight content.
It is specified where the formulation needs higher temperature resistance than a standard bisphenol epoxy sizing, functionality published per grade, so crosslinking density is selectable, a high solids option at 63 percent in FILCO 345HP, and a reduced skin sensitization grade in FILCO 8004.
Applied at the forming line in a sizing bath. The temperature benefit appears after cure, so bench-testing an uncured film will not show it.
FILCO 345 is soft when uncured, which helps handling before the part is made. Read the uncured and cured behavior as two separate properties on this family.
Where operator exposure is being managed, FILCO 8004 is the published route. It is a reformulation for that purpose rather than a different performance tier.
Package sizes: Made to order in the pack size the line needs. Tell us the volume and we will confirm..
Storage: Store in the original sealed container, protected from frost and from direct sun. Freezing destroys a water based dispersion permanently. Confirm the shelf life on the current data sheet for your grade.
Epoxy resins are skin sensitizers and the low molecular weight fractions are the ones that sensitize most. Read the safety data sheet before handling, and see FILCO 8004 where exposure is the driver. We supply the current SDS with every grade.
Higher temperature resistance. The novolac backbone carries more epoxy groups per chain, so the cured film crosslinks into a denser network and softens at a higher temperature. COIM publishes increased high temperature resistance as the application characteristic for the whole family.
Yes, FILCO 8902, a modified epoxy and not part of this novolac family. It runs at 57 percent solids, its dried film loses only 5 percent of its mass at 725 degrees F, and it needs no curing after drying. It has its own page under the carbon fiber film formers family. Tell us the fiber and the matrix and we will send the current data sheet.
Reduced skin sensitization. COIM formulated it with decreased low molecular weight content, because those are the fractions that sensitize. It sits at 250 g/eq and 54 percent solids. Specify it where operator exposure is the driver rather than performance.
Functionality. FILCO 345 is described as medium crosslinking density when cured, at 200 g/eq. FILCO 74005 is the high functionality resin at 280 g/eq for higher crosslinking density, and it carries the higher Tg at 55 degrees F against 23. Tell us the service temperature you need.
Yes. Tell us the fiber, the matrix and the service temperature and we will send the current technical data sheet with the matching safety data sheet, and arrange sample material.
Yes. We send the Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) on request, in the manufacturer's current revision. Use Request TDS or SDS above and tell us what your qualification review needs.
The carbon family, including FILCO 8902 for PPS and PEEK processing.
The high molecular weight epoxies for PET, PBT and polycarbonate.
Epoxy at 230 to 270 g/eq with a self-lubricating film.
The other route to increased temperature resistance.
What a film former does in a sizing, and how the chemistries divide.
The selection logic, worked through on the carbon side.
What happens to sizing through pyrolysis, and what re-sizing has to restore.