Our Catalysts
At CONIEX, we have more than 35 years of experience in the development and optimisation of epoxy resins and catalysts for part enamelling. Our track record is supported by solid R&D work and strict quality controls carried out in our laboratory, where each batch undergoes exhaustive testing to guarantee consistent quality, stability, and reliability in production.
High-Performance Two-Component System
Epoxy resin is a two-component system that requires the addition of a catalyst to initiate its polymerisation or curing process.
The catalyst —also known as component B or hardener— is responsible for activating the hardening process through an exothermic chemical reaction generated when mixed with the resin. It is therefore a critical element to ensure:
Uniform curing
Proper levelling
An optimal surface finish.
Maximum adhesion and resistance
A Catalyst for Every Application
Not all parts require the same catalyst. The morphology, geometry, and final application determine the most suitable option for achieving perfect enamelling.
At CONIEX, we develop different ESMALTEX catalysts that allow the process to be adapted to each type of part, facilitating enamelling in multiple configurations:
- Flat surfaces
- Parts with or without edges
- Curved or semi-curved geometries
- Complex designs
Thanks to this variety of technical solutions, it is possible to work with complete precision and achieve uniform, stable, and high-quality finishes.
Correct selection from the outset ensures process stability, fewer defects, and maximum quality in the final result.
| VISCOSITY mPa / cP | PACKAGING | PARTS | GEL TIME | OVEN DRYING | TOUCH-DRYING | APPLICATIONS | |
| HARDNER-N | 30 / 70 | 0.250 kg 0.500 kg 5 kg | 50 | 30 min. | 80°C / 30 min. | 8 hours | Enameling of flat parts. |
| HARDNER-40 | 80 / 100 | 0.450 kg 4.5 kg | 40 | 120 min. | 80°C / 50 min. | 12 hours | Slow hardner. Flat pieces. Ideal for small spaces with slow application. |
| CATALYST-LEVEL CATALYST | 260 / 360 | 0.500 kg 5 kg | 50 40 (flexil) | 27 min. | 50°C / 30 min. | 8 hours | For enameling flat surfaces without lateral edge. Ideal for large parts and FLEXIL |
| CATALYST-TIXOMED | 340 / 360 | 0.250 kg 1 kg | 40 | 180 min. | 50°C / 120 min. | 24 hours | Catalyst with medium thixotropy. Ideal for lightly curved parts. |
| HARDNER-TIXOCAT | 2100 / 2200 | 0.250 kg 1 kg | 40 | 180 min. | 50°C / 120 min. | 24 hours | Catalyst with medium thixotropy. Ideal for parts with pronounced curvatures. |
Parameters indicated at room temperature (between 20°C and 25°C) and maximum relative humidity of 50%. 15-gram mixtures.
Our Range of Catalysts
Catalyst N
CATALYST-N is a versatile liquid catalyst suitable for enamelling flat surfaces, offering a rigid coating system with high final hardness and good chemical and thermal resistance. It enables homogeneous and durable finishes, making it an effective solution for industrial applications requiring reliability and resistance.
Catalyst 40
CATALYST-40 is a low-viscosity liquid catalyst with a long GelTime, specially designed for enamelling parts with very small amounts of enamel. Its high fluidity allows uniform application, providing a high-quality finish with excellent adhesion, great hardness, and a low yellowing index, making it ideal for applications requiring a long working time.
Catalyst CATNIVEL
CATNIVEL CATALYST has been formulated to provide an excellent self-levelling effect, allowing parts without side edges to be enamelled while achieving perfectly uniform surfaces. Its behaviour prevents the enamel from sagging.
Catalyst TIXOMED
TIXOMED CATALYST is a liquid-gel catalyst designed for enamelling semi-curved surfaces, combining good applicability with controlled viscosity to prevent sagging. It allows high coating thicknesses to be applied while maintaining a homogeneous and resistant finish, making it a suitable solution for demanding applications.
Catalyst TIXOCAT
TIXOCAT CATALYST is a thixotropic gel catalyst developed for enamelling curved or inclined surfaces. It allows layers of up to 200 microns to be applied without dripping or sagging, ensuring a uniform coating even on complex geometries.
Enameling of curved and round parts
When enameling pieces that have no edge, that are semi-curved or totally curved, a catalyst with a higher thixotropy is needed, that is, one that is thicker and that “holds” the enamel once it has been applied.
At Coniex we have two types of catalysts that offer these characteristics. Both catalysts allow us to glaze in thicknesses of up to 200 microns, without sagging or dripping.
- For parts without edge or with a small curvature, we will use the CATALYZER-TIXOMED. This catalyst has a liquid-gel texture and is denser than our usual catalysts for flat piece glazing, which makes it ideal for glazing this type of pieces.
- If what we need is to glaze a piece with a lot of curvature or totally round, we will use the TIXOCAT CATALYZER. This catalyst has a consistency close to that of gel, so it gives more thickness to the enamel and prevents it from falling off once applied on the piece.
These two catalysts have helped our customers to guarantee the success of their glazes, avoiding the formation of drops.
The application method is very agile and simple. Just add the corresponding part of catalyst to the enamel (Epoxy Resin), after which the mixture must be stirred slowly but uniformly, using enveloping movements so that the two components are well mixed and cause as few bubbles as possible.
It is important to note that this type of catalysts, having a high viscosity, make it more difficult to evacuate the internal air. However, different accessories are available to minimize this effect.
WHAT IS THE CORRECT RATIO IN THE MIXTURE OF CATALYST AND EPOXY RESIN?
To obtain the desired glaze, it is essential that the mixing of hardner and epoxy resin is carried out in the correct proportions. Correct mixing will facilitate proper drying and, therefore, the desired quality of the glaze will be obtained.
In epoxy resin enamels the most common proportion is two parts resin to one part catalyst. For example, if we use 100 grams of our glaze product, it would correspond to another 50 grams of catalyst that guarantees the drying and hardening of the glaze.
From Coniex we offer you the possibility of enrolling in our training courses with theoretical and practical classes so that from the beginning you can use the product correctly, avoiding having to repeat the glazing of pieces and you can thus make your work profitable.
In addition, we have a range of machinery and accessories for enameling that guarantee the quality and profitability in the final finish of the enameled piece, which will be shiny, rigid and with high resistance.
Our Complete Range of Solutions
ESMALTEX is totally free of BISPHENOL-A (BPA free). Cold enamels, whether used as fillers or paints, can be applied to a wide variety of products.
