Sensitization capacity of epoxy resin hardeners in the guinea pig

Cold-curing resin hardeners were examined regarding their sensitization capacity, by the "guinea pig maximization test". All the aliphatic polyamines caused sensitization. Two of the three cycloaliphatic polyamines sensitized all the animals, while one did not sensitize at all. The aromatic amine sensitized one-fifth of the animals studied. The two polyaminoamides sensitized respectively one-fifth and two-thirds of the animals. Two of the four adducts failed to provoke any reactions. The phenolaccelerated adduct of triethylenetetramine sensitized nearly half of the animals. The adduct of isophorondiamine and epoxy resin sensitized three-fourths of the animals. Judging from the above observations, adducts, when void of aliphatic amines, are probably not potential sensitizers. This may perhaps also be true of the polyaminoamides.