Triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) is a difunctional acrylic monomer used to introduce crosslinks into free-radical and UV-curable polymer systems. Its two acrylate groups support network formation, making it useful for coatings, crosslinked polymers, and experimental hydrogel formulations.
Polysciences product 02655 has a purity of ≥90% by GC and contains 800–1600 ppm MEHQ inhibitor. It is supplied as a clear, low-viscosity liquid in 25 g and 250 g sizes.
TEGDA may be evaluated as a crosslinking comonomer in polymer research and formulation development. Cure behavior, crosslink density, swelling, mechanical properties, residual monomer, and extractables depend on the complete formulation and processing conditions.
Synonyms: TEGDA; TriEGDA; Tri(ethylene glycol) diacrylate; Triethyleneglycol diacrylate
Key Properties
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Product number: 02655
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CAS number: 1680-21-3
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Molecular formula: C12H18O6
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Molecular weight: 258.3 g/mol
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Purity: ≥90% by GC
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Appearance: Clear liquid
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Viscosity at 25°C: 10–20 cPs
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Specific gravity: 1.107–1.119 g/mL
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MEHQ inhibitor: 800–1600 ppm
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Water content: ≤0.30%
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Free acrylic acid: ≤0.0500%
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Residual solvent: ≤0.100%
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Available sizes: 25 g and 250 g
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Storage temperature: Room temperature
Applications
UV-Curable Polymer Systems
TEGDA can be used as a difunctional crosslinking comonomer in compatible free-radical photopolymer formulations. Cure speed and conversion depend on photoinitiator chemistry, wavelength, energy dose, oxygen exposure, film thickness, temperature, and the other formulation components.
Crosslinked Coatings and Polymer Networks
The two acrylate groups can participate in network formation during polymerization. TEGDA concentration and conversion may be adjusted during formulation development to study their effects on crosslink density, mechanical behavior, solvent response, and dimensional stability.
Hydrogel Research
TEGDA may be evaluated in experimental PEG-containing and other crosslinked hydrogel systems. Researchers should characterize swelling, conversion, residual monomer, extractables, mechanical properties, and stability under the intended conditions.
Suitability for biological contact, drug-delivery research, diagnostic applications, or clinical use must be established for the finished material. Monomer grade alone does not establish biocompatibility, sterility, endotoxin status, or suitability for a medical application.
Polymer Synthesis and Network Development
TEGDA can provide branching and crosslinking sites in compatible copolymer systems. It may be useful when studying how crosslinker concentration, spacer structure, and polymerization conditions affect the resulting network.
Polymerization and Formulation Considerations
TEGDA contains two polymerizable acrylate groups and can undergo free-radical polymerization with a compatible initiator system. Acrylates generally react more rapidly than corresponding methacrylates in UV-curable formulations, but actual reaction behavior must be established for the complete formulation.
- Account for the specified 800–1600 ppm MEHQ inhibitor during process development.
- Select the initiator or photoinitiator for the formulation, wavelength, film thickness, and desired cure conditions.
- Control oxygen exposure when surface cure or conversion may be affected by oxygen inhibition.
- Monitor temperature and exotherm, particularly in concentrated or bulk polymerizations.
- Measure conversion and residual monomer instead of relying on exposure time alone.
- Determine crosslink density and final performance experimentally for the intended formulation.
Application Tips
- Begin with small-scale screening before increasing batch size.
- Keep crosslinker concentration, initiator loading, cure energy, temperature, and atmosphere consistent when comparing formulations.
- Evaluate both bulk conversion and surface cure in UV-processed samples.
- For hydrogel research, characterize equilibrium swelling, mechanical properties, extractables, and stability in the intended medium.
- Test compatibility and phase behavior with every resin, solvent, additive, and comonomer in the formulation.
- Use application-specific analytical methods to evaluate residual monomer and finished-network performance.
Handling & Storage
Store at room temperature in the original, tightly closed container. Maintain appropriate laboratory controls, ventilation, personal protective equipment, and controlled storage practices.
Review the current Safety Data Sheet and product label before handling, storage, or use. Follow all applicable institutional procedures for exposure controls, spill response, storage, and disposal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is triethylene glycol diacrylate used for?
Triethylene glycol diacrylate is a difunctional acrylic monomer used to introduce crosslinks into compatible free-radical polymer systems. Common research areas include UV-curable polymers, crosslinked coatings, polymer networks, and experimental hydrogel formulations.
Are TEGDA and TriEGDA the same material?
Yes. TEGDA and TriEGDA are abbreviations for triethylene glycol diacrylate. Polysciences product 02655 has CAS number 1680-21-3.
Is TEGDA the same as TEGDMA, TPGDA, or tetraethylene glycol diacrylate?
No. TEGDMA is triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, while TPGDA commonly refers to tripropylene glycol diacrylate. Tetraethylene glycol diacrylate contains a different glycol-chain length. These materials have different chemical identities and should not be treated as interchangeable.
What are the purity and inhibitor levels?
Product 02655 has a purity specification of ≥90% by GC and contains 800–1600 ppm MEHQ inhibitor. The inhibitor level should be considered when developing and validating polymerization conditions.
Is TEGDA suitable for hydrogel or biomedical research?
TEGDA may be evaluated as a crosslinking monomer in experimental hydrogel research. The finished material must be independently characterized for conversion, residual monomer, extractables, stability, biological response, and application-specific requirements. This product does not carry standalone biocompatibility, sterility, endotoxin, or clinical-use claims.
Is triethylene glycol diacrylate soluble in water?
Water compatibility can depend on concentration, temperature, and the other formulation components. Confirm solubility and phase behavior experimentally under the intended formulation conditions before use.
Safety & Documentation
This laboratory reagent may pose health and safety hazards. Review the current Safety Data Sheet in full before handling, storage, or use. Follow the product label and all applicable institutional procedures for engineering controls, personal protective equipment, spill response, storage, and disposal.
Safety classifications and handling requirements may change. Always use the current product label and Safety Data Sheet for product-specific safety information.
