Trigonox V388 is a general purpose methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) for curing unsaturated polyester resins in the presence of a cobalt accelerator at room and elevated temperatures. As one of the recommended international brand products in our organic peroxide range, it is supplied with supply chain resource support for fabricators sourcing curing systems for laminating resins and castings.
Product Specifications
Specifications
| Appearance | Clear colorless liquid |
| Total active oxygen | 9.8-10.0 % |
Characteristics
| Density, 20 °C | 1.120 g/cm³ |
| Flashpoint | 37 (Closed Cup) / ≥ 63 (Open Cup) °C |
Key Benefits of This MEKP Curing Agent
- General purpose curing performance for GRP and non-GRP applications
- Consistent active oxygen content of 9.8 to 10.0% for reliable dosing
- Suitable for room and elevated temperature curing with a cobalt accelerator
- Clear colorless liquid with defined density and flashpoint for safe handling
- Established curing system for laminating resins and castings
Applications Across Industries
Trigonox V388 supports a wide range of end-use applications across several industries:
- Construction: laminating resin curing for reinforced construction components
- Automotive parts: castings and general purpose composite curing
- Petrochemical: curing systems for corrosion-resistant composite parts
This range of applications reflects why this MEKP is specified across general purpose GRP and non-GRP curing work, giving fabricators a standard curing agent for laminating resins and castings outside of specialized marine applications.
Why Marine Applications Need a Different MEKP
Practical experience over many years has shown that marine applications demand a special MEKP with low water content and without polar compounds, in order to prevent osmosis and related problems in hulls and other water-immersed composite parts. Trigonox V388 is developed for general purpose GRP and non-GRP applications such as laminating resins and castings, rather than for marine osmosis-sensitive applications specifically.
For marine applications requiring osmosis resistance, Butanox M-50 is the MEKP typically advised, since it is formulated with the low water content and polar compound profile that marine hull laminates require. Fabricators should confirm which MEKP grade matches their specific application before finalizing a curing system for marine versus general purpose composite parts.
Curing System Considerations
For room temperature application, Trigonox V388 needs to be used together with a cobalt accelerator, such as Accelerator NL-49PN, to achieve a practical cure profile. Cure speed and gel time depend on cobalt accelerator loading, ambient or process temperature, and the specific unsaturated polyester resin formulation being cured.
Fabricators should always run trial batches to confirm gel time and cure profile before committing to full production with a new resin and peroxide combination, since accelerator loading and ambient temperature can shift cure behavior meaningfully even with a consistent MEKP grade.
What to Consider When Sourcing This MEKP
When sourcing Trigonox V388, fabricators typically evaluate active oxygen content, flashpoint, and density data alongside their specific resin system and target cure profile. Working with a supplier that can provide consistent documentation and responsive technical support can help reduce qualification time when approving a new peroxide grade for a production line.
Buyers switching between MEKP grades or suppliers should confirm current active oxygen and flashpoint specifications for their specific resin and accelerator combination, since gel time and cure profile can shift meaningfully between nominally similar MEKP products.
General Handling and Storage Guidance
As with most organic peroxide products, this MEKP should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated location away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and incompatible materials such as accelerators or reducing agents, and used within the manufacturer’s recommended shelf life. Because organic peroxides are reactive materials and this product has a defined flashpoint, storage temperature and segregation from ignition sources and accelerators are important handling considerations.
Shelf life and specific storage temperature limits vary by batch and packaging format, so fabricators should always confirm current shelf life, recommended storage temperature, and handling precautions against the latest technical data sheet and safety data sheet for the specific batch they are working with.
Choosing Between Trigonox V388 and Other MEKP Grades
Thousands Chemicals also supplies Butanox M-50 and Butanox M-60, which are positioned for different applications within the same general MEKP family. While Trigonox V388 is developed for general purpose GRP and non-GRP curing, Butanox M-50 is specifically advised for marine osmosis-sensitive applications, and Butanox M-60 offers 10% higher active oxygen for a faster medium-reactive cure profile.
Selecting between these grades depends on the target application, required cure speed, and whether osmosis resistance is a requirement. Our team can help match the correct MEKP grade to your resin system and end-use application.
Where to Source This Product
Thousands Chemicals supplies Trigonox V388 and related organic peroxide products through our digital B2B marketplace, with supply chain resource support for fabricators sourcing curing systems for laminating and casting applications. Peroxide handling and classification are commonly referenced against guidelines published by ASTM International. Our team can help confirm packaging, lead times, and technical documentation for your target application and order volume.
Documentation We Can Provide
For buyers evaluating this MEKP for a new laminating or casting project, our team can help arrange the current technical data sheet and safety data sheet. Having this documentation in hand before finalizing a curing schedule can help avoid delays later in your qualification or approval process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trigonox V388
What is the active oxygen content of Trigonox V388?
It has a total active oxygen content of 9.8 to 10.0%, with a density of 1.120 g/cm³ at 20°C.
Is this MEKP suitable for marine applications?
It is developed for general purpose GRP and non-GRP curing rather than marine osmosis-sensitive applications; Butanox M-50 is advised for marine use.
What accelerator is needed for room temperature curing?
For room temperature application, it should be used with a cobalt accelerator such as Accelerator NL-49PN.
Can you provide technical documentation and bulk pricing?
Yes, technical data sheets and SDS documentation are available on request, and our team can provide bulk pricing and lead times based on your target volume and delivery location.
Get a Quote for Trigonox V388
Contact our team for a quote, technical data sheet, or SDS for this MEKP. We support bulk supply and global shipping for fabricators sourcing consistent, general purpose curing systems for laminating and casting production.
