| Cure Speed | Supplier should provide a clearly defined cure schedule at a stated temperature and film or bond thickness. | Initial handling strength commonly targeted within 5–60 minutes; functional cure may require 8–24 hours, depending on formulation and conditions. | Technical Data Sheet, cure profile, batch test report, and recommended processing conditions. | Confirm that “fast drying” is not presented as full chemical cure. Verify performance at the buyer’s actual temperature and humidity. |
| Viscosity and Application | Viscosity must match the intended process, such as dispensing, coating, potting, or structural bonding. | Low-viscosity grades may be below 1,000 mPa·s; higher-viscosity systems may exceed 10,000 mPa·s. The exact value must be measured at a stated temperature and spindle or test method. | Viscosity result, test temperature, measurement method, mixing ratio, and packaging format. | Check whether the stated viscosity applies to the resin, hardener, or mixed system. |
| Mix Ratio and Pot Life | Mix ratio should be simple, repeatable, and suitable for the customer’s dispensing equipment. | Common systems use fixed resin-to-hardener ratios such as 1:1, 2:1, or 100:30 by weight; pot life may range from 3–30 minutes. | Mixing instructions, allowable ratio tolerance, pot-life test data, and equipment compatibility statement. | Verify whether the ratio is by weight or volume. Do not interchange the two without documented density data. |
| Bond Strength | Mechanical performance should be specified for the actual substrates and test configuration. | Reported lap-shear results may range from 10–30 MPa for many rigid-substrate applications, but values vary significantly with substrate, surface preparation, cure, and test method. | Independent or internal test report identifying substrate, surface preparation, specimen geometry, cure cycle, and test standard. | Request results based on recognized methods such as ASTM D1002 or ISO 4587 where applicable. |
| Temperature Resistance | Supplier must distinguish continuous-use temperature from short-term or post-cure performance. | General-purpose grades may be specified around 80–120°C continuous use; specialty grades can be higher, subject to formulation and post-cure requirements. | Thermal aging data, glass-transition temperature, heat-deflection data where relevant, and post-cure instructions. | Confirm the test method, exposure duration, load condition, and whether the figure represents service temperature or Tg. |
| Appearance and Optical Quality | Color, clarity, yellowing resistance, and surface finish should be controlled by an agreed product specification. | Available appearance categories may include clear, translucent, black, or custom color. | Color standard, retained sample policy, UV-aging data where required, and certificate of analysis. | For transparent applications, request yellowing data and confirm whether UV stabilizers affect cure or adhesion. |
| Quality Management | Supplier should operate a documented quality management system with traceable production and complaint handling. | Preferred certification: ISO 9001:2015. Sector-specific certifications may be required by the end application. | Current certificate, certification scope, issuing body, validity dates, lot traceability procedure, and corrective-action process. | Confirm that the certificate covers the manufacturing site and relevant chemical products, not only a sales or administrative office. |
| Environmental Management | Global buyers may require documented controls for waste, emissions, energy, and chemical handling. | Recognized framework: ISO 14001:2015. | Valid certificate, environmental policy, restricted-substance declaration, and applicable waste-management documentation. | ISO 14001 certification is voluntary and does not itself prove that a product is compliant with every environmental law. |
| Occupational Health and Safety | Supplier should demonstrate controlled handling of reactive resins, amine hardeners, solvents, and additives. | Recognized framework: ISO 45001:2018. | Certificate, safety data sheets, exposure-control procedures, incident records where contractually available, and emergency guidance. | Review worker-protection controls separately from product conformity and transport compliance. |
| European Union Chemical Compliance | Products placed on the EU market should be assessed for applicable chemical registration, classification, labeling, and packaging obligations. | Key references: REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. | EU-compliant SDS, classification and labeling information, SVHC declaration, and confirmation of registration or Only Representative arrangements where applicable. | Ask for the legal entity responsible for EU import and compliance. Product composition and tonnage can affect obligations. |
| Hazard Communication | SDS and labels should be prepared for the destination market and supplied in the required language or languages. | SDS should follow the applicable local format and include hazard classification, composition, handling, storage, transport, and disposal information. | Current Safety Data Sheet, label artwork, revision date, emergency contact, and language version for each destination. | GHS-based requirements are widely used, but implementation differs by jurisdiction. Do not rely on one global SDS for every market. |
| Restricted Substances | Supplier should disclose whether the formulation contains substances restricted by the buyer, destination market, or end-use sector. | Common customer declarations may address: RoHS, SVHC, halogens, PFAS, and conflict minerals, according to the contract and application. | Full-material declaration, third-party screening where required, and signed restricted-substance statement. | RoHS applies to defined electrical and electronic equipment categories; it is not automatically applicable to every epoxy resin product. |
| United States Market Access | Supplier and importer should identify applicable federal and state chemical requirements before shipment. | Relevant frameworks may include TSCA, OSHA Hazard Communication requirements, and state-specific rules such as California Proposition 65 where applicable. | TSCA compliance statement, U.S.-format SDS, product labels, ingredient review, and destination-specific declarations. | Responsibility may be shared between manufacturer, exporter, importer, and downstream user. Confirm contractual allocation in writing. |
| Packaging and Shelf Life | Packaging must prevent moisture contamination, leakage, premature reaction, and incorrect component mixing during transport and storage. | Typical commercial shelf life: 6–24 months when sealed and stored under the supplier’s stated conditions. | Packaging specification, storage temperature, shelf-life statement, production date, expiry date, and FIFO/FEFO controls. | Verify whether the stated shelf life applies to unopened kits only and whether temperature excursions affect warranty coverage. |
| Transport and Dangerous Goods | Shipment classification must be determined from the final formulation, packaging, quantity, and transport mode. | Supplier should provide the applicable transport status for road, sea, air, and rail when relevant. | Transport information in Section 14 of the SDS, UN classification if applicable, packaging instructions, and shipping declaration. | Dangerous-goods status can differ by transport mode and jurisdiction. Obtain confirmation before booking freight. |
| Batch Consistency | Every shipment should be traceable to a manufacturing batch with defined release criteria. | Minimum release data commonly includes appearance, viscosity, mix ratio, and cure performance. | Certificate of Analysis, batch number, manufacturing date, specification limits, test results, and retention-sample policy. | Agree on sampling plans, nonconformance notification, change-control notice period, and customer approval requirements. |
| Technical Support and Change Control | Supplier should provide application support and notify buyers before changes to formulation, raw materials, process, site, or packaging. | Recommended notice period: 90–180 days for material changes, subject to the purchase agreement and validation needs. | Change-control procedure, technical contact, troubleshooting guide, validation samples, and formal change-notification template. | Require requalification when changes may affect cure speed, adhesion, safety classification, color, viscosity, or regulatory status. |
