In powder coating technology, TGIC stands for Triglycidyl Isocyanurate. It is a highly reactive curing agent used with carboxyl-functional polyester Resins to create durable, chemically resistant, and UV-stable coatings. TGIC has been one of the most important raw materials in the powder coating industry for decades, especially in applications that require long-term outdoor weathering performance.

TGIC reacts with Polyester Resins during the curing stage to form a dense, crosslinked polymer network. This structure provides excellent mechanical strength, gloss retention, and long-term protection against sunlight, moisture, corrosion, and abrasion. For powder coating manufacturers, understanding what TGIC stands for—and what it contributes—is critical for selecting the right formulation for architectural, industrial, and automotive use.

PCOTEC supplies high-performance TGIC Curing Agents such as TK-902 and TK-906, formulated to ensure stable curing behavior and strong compatibility with our polyester resin systems.

What TGIC Means in Powder Coating

TGIC is an epoxy-functional compound with three epoxy groups per molecule. This structural design gives it a high reactivity level, allowing quick and efficient crosslinking with polyester resins. When heated in the curing oven, TGIC begins reacting with the resin’s carboxyl groups, forming a tight network responsible for the coating’s durability.

In simple terms:

TGIC = Triglycidyl Isocyanurate
A curing agent used to create strong, weather-resistant polyester powder coatings.

Main Functions of TGIC:

• Initiates chemical crosslinking

• Improves outdoor durability

• Provides strong mechanical and chemical resistance

• Ensures high gloss and color stability

• Enhances long-term performance in harsh environments

Why TGIC Is Widely Used in Powder Coatings

TGIC is used in a broad range of powder coating applications because it delivers balanced performance across appearance, durability, and stability.

Key reasons TGIC is preferred:

• Outstanding UV and weathering resistance

• Consistent gloss retention

• Excellent chemical and corrosion resistance

• Strong mechanical properties

• Good flow and leveling behavior

• Broad formulation compatibility

These advantages make TGIC systems the preferred choice for outdoor and high-performance coatings.

Chemical and Technical Properties of TGIC

Below is a summary of the important technical characteristics of TGIC in powder coatings:

These properties explain its strong performance in architectural and industrial coatings.

What TGIC Does During the Curing Process

When a TGIC-based powder coating enters the curing oven, several steps occur:

1. Melting

The powder softens, allowing the resin and TGIC to blend uniformly.

2. Chemical Reaction

The epoxy groups in TGIC react with the carboxyl groups in the polyester resin.

3. Crosslinking

Multiple epoxy sites create a dense 3D network that gives the film its mechanical and protective properties.

4. Solidification

Once cooled, the coating becomes a hard, durable film with long-term stability.

TGIC’s three reactive epoxy groups ensure strong crosslink density and predictable curing behavior.

Applications Where TGIC Is Commonly Used

TGIC-based polyester systems are ideal for high-performance and outdoor environments.

Common application areas:

• Architectural aluminum profiles

• Automotive exterior parts

• Outdoor machinery and equipment

• Agricultural and construction machines

• Light poles, guardrails, and metal structures

• Outdoor furniture and fixtures

• General industrial coatings requiring durability

These applications require resistance to UV, weathering, and daily wear—strengths of TGIC systems.

Benefits of Using TGIC in Powder Coatings

TGIC enhances many important performance characteristics in the final coating.

Key benefits:

• Superior UV resistance for long-term outdoor exposure

• Excellent chalking and fading resistance

• Strong mechanical properties, including hardness and impact strength

• Reliable chemical resistance for industrial environments

• High gloss and color stability even in extreme climates

• Smooth film formation with minimal defects

• Versatile curing window compatible with standard polyester resins

These benefits make TGIC the industry’s go-to curing agent for outdoor powder coatings.

Limitations of TGIC

Like all curing agents, TGIC also has limitations users must consider:

Limitations:

• Slightly higher curing temperature compared with some HAA systems

• Not suitable for eco-label requirements requiring non-TGIC formulations

• Requires proper ventilation during processing

• May cost more than alternative curing agents

Despite these limitations, TGIC remains the strongest performer for exterior durability.

PCOTEC TGIC Grades and Advantages

PCOTEC provides high-quality TGIC curing agents designed for consistent industrial performance.

PCOTEC TGIC Grades

• TK-902 – High-purity, stable melting range, strong mechanical strength

• TK-906 – Optimized for smooth surface and appearance stability

Advantages of PCOTEC TGIC:

• Stable melting behavior for predictable curing

• High assay purity ensuring consistent crosslinking

• Excellent compatibility with PCOTEC polyester resins

• Strong UV and weathering performance

• Reliable supply for high-volume production

Our TGIC products are widely used in architectural and industrial powder coating systems.

Conclusion

In powder coating, TGIC stands for Triglycidyl Isocyanurate, a highly reactive curing agent used to crosslink carboxyl-functional polyester resins. TGIC is essential in applications that require strong weathering resistance, long-term durability, chemical protection, and gloss stability. Its three epoxy groups create a dense crosslinked network that performs exceptionally well outdoors.

PCOTEC offers high-performance TGIC grades (TK-902 and TK-906) engineered for stable curing, strong compatibility with polyester resins, and excellent outdoor durability. For powder coating manufacturers seeking reliable, high-quality curing agents, TGIC remains the preferred solution for demanding outdoor and industrial applications.