How safe are TGIC replacements?
How safe are TGIC replacements?
Keywords Powder coatings, Safety
Epoxy powder coatings and carboxy functional polyesters cross-linked with expoxy suffer from a common major defect: chalking of the subsequent powder coating film. To overcome this defect it has been common practice to cross-link the carboxy polyesters with Triglycidal Isocyanurate (TGIC). However, TGIC is now a suspected carcinogen and several alternatives cross-linkers have been put forward, giving excellent appearance with outstanding gloss and virtually no chalking.
Paint application consultant Mike Cowley of Ad-Qual Group (Tel: +44 (0) 1929 471521) queries whether there has been some premature trumpet blowing. He says in the May 1998 issue of the journal Product Finishing that it has been suggested that the alternatives to TGIC may be equally hazardous when powder is used in the way that it is in many coating installations.
We would be pleased to hear from powder coating manufacturers on this issue, particularly as Mike Cowley says that he has come up against the traditional stonewall of companies pleading that proprietary formulation is confidential information.
