Overview
SWANCOR 963 is a terephthalic unsaturated polyester resin supplied as an unpromoted (non-accelerated) base resin. It offers excellent mechanical strength along with good water resistance and corrosion resistance, making it a widely used grade for hand lay-up, spray-up, filament winding, and pultrusion of pipes, tanks, and other FRP equipment exposed to ordinary chemical and heat conditions.
Because SWANCOR 963 does not contain a pre-added cobalt promoter, fabricators add their own promoter and MEKP catalyst at the ratio and gel-time profile that suits their process and climate. This flexibility, combined with a full 6-month shelf life, makes SWANCOR 963 a practical choice for stock inventory and for fabricators who want control over cure speed. For a ready-to-use, pre-accelerated version of the same resin chemistry, see SWANCOR 963-P.
Key Benefits
- Terephthalic unsaturated polyester chemistry with excellent mechanical strength
- Good water resistance and corrosion resistance for demanding FRP applications
- Suitable for hand lay-up, spray-up, filament winding, and pultrusion
- Complies with U.S. FDA 21 CFR 177.2420 for food and potable water contact after proper post-curing and steam treatment
- Full 6-month shelf life (25°C) as an unpromoted base resin
- Full flexibility to select your own promoter type and dosage for a specific gel-time profile
Applications
- Chemical storage tanks, pipes, scrubbers, and ducts
- Corrosion-resistant flooring when incorporated with aggregates
- Wastewater treatment systems
- Food storage tanks and pure water systems (food-grade after post-cure treatment)
Typical Properties of Liquid Resin
| Property | SWANCOR 963 |
| Appearance | Turbid liquid |
| Density | 1.09–1.10 g/cm³ |
| Solid Content | 54–60% |
| Viscosity (LVT #3, 60rpm, 25°C) | 280–420 cps |
| Acid Value | 7–13 mgKOH/g |
| Stability at 80°C | ≥24 hours |
| Gel Time | 15–35 min (varies by promoter/catalyst dosage and temperature) |
| Curing Time | 30–55 min |
| Peak Exotherm Temperature | 110–160°C |
| Shelf Life (25°C) | 6 months |
Typical Cured and Laminate Properties
| Property | Clear Casting | Laminate (33% glass fiber) |
| Tensile Strength | 50 MPa | 121.6 MPa |
| Flexural Strength | 100 MPa | 250.7 MPa |
| Barcol Hardness | 36 | 50 |
| Tensile Modulus | 3.1 GPa | — |
| Flexural Modulus | 3.5 GPa | — |
| HDT | 102°C | — |
| Volume Shrinkage | 1.8% | — |
Selection Guide: SWANCOR 963 vs. SWANCOR 963-P
Choose SWANCOR 963 when you need an unpromoted base resin with a full 6-month shelf life and the flexibility to tune gel time by adjusting your own promoter and MEKP catalyst ratio — useful when fabricating across varying ambient temperatures or when you already run a qualified promoter system such as SWANCOR 1305. If you prefer a pre-accelerated resin that only requires MEKP addition and gives a consistent 20–30 minute gel time out of the box, choose SWANCOR 963-P instead; note that pre-promoted resin carries a shorter 3-month shelf life. Contact our technical team with your fabrication method, ambient temperature range, and target gel time for a grade recommendation.
Packaging and Shipping
SWANCOR 963 is supplied in 20 kg or 220 kg steel drums, with bulk supply available for large-volume buyers. We ship globally by sea and air freight, with COA and MSDS provided for every shipment. Contact us for current lead times and packaging options.
FAQ
What is the difference between SWANCOR 963 and SWANCOR 963-P?
SWANCOR 963 is the standard, unpromoted base resin — fabricators add both a cobalt promoter and MEKP catalyst themselves, and it carries a 6-month shelf life. SWANCOR 963-P is the pre-promoted (pre-accelerated) version of the same resin chemistry; it already contains the promoter, so only MEKP catalyst needs to be added, giving a consistent 20–30 minute gel time. Because it is pre-accelerated, SWANCOR 963-P has a shorter 3-month shelf life.
Is SWANCOR 963 suitable for food and potable water contact?
Yes. After proper post-curing and steam or hot-water treatment following the recommended procedure, laminates based on SWANCOR 963 can comply with U.S. FDA 21 CFR 177.2420 for food and potable water contact.
What promoter should I use with SWANCOR 963?
We recommend a purity-verified promoter such as SWANCOR 1305 (a colorless cobalt promoter) to ensure predictable gel characteristics. Refer to the technical data sheet’s gel time table for recommended MEKP and promoter dosages across different ambient temperatures.
Do you provide COA and MSDS with SWANCOR 963 shipments?
Yes, COA and MSDS documentation is provided with every shipment to support your quality control and regulatory compliance requirements.
What is the MOQ and packaging for SWANCOR 963?
SWANCOR 963 is available in 20 kg or 220 kg steel drums, with bulk supply options for larger volumes. Contact our sales team with your target volume and shipping destination for a tailored quote.
