- ▸ Latent curing agent (hardener) for one-component, heat-cured epoxy resin systems used in structural adhesives, powder coatings, and electrical laminates, where its insolubility at room temperature gives long pot life until activation.
- ▸ Nitrification inhibitor and slow-release nitrogen source in agriculture, blended with urea and ammonium fertilizers to reduce nitrate leaching and ammonia loss while improving nitrogen-use efficiency.
- ▸ Synthesis intermediate for the production of guanidine salts, melamine, sulfaguanidine, and pharmaceutical actives such as metformin (sold by RawSource as an industrial feedstock, not as a finished drug).
- ▸ Raw material for guanamine resins, water-treatment and dye-fixing chemistries, and flame-retardant intermediates in plastics and textile finishing.
- ▸ Precursor in the manufacture of guanidine nitrate and specialty nitrogen chemicals for industrial and pyrotechnic formulations.
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →
Dicyandiamide (DICY) is the standard latent (heat-activated) epoxy hardener for one-component systems — it stays inert at room temperature and cures on heating, giving long shelf life and high-performance networks. Identity: CAS 461-58-5.
What it is
Dicyandiamide (CAS 461-58-5, 2-cyanoguanidine) is a white crystalline solid. It is only slightly soluble and essentially unreactive with epoxy at room temperature, which is what makes it a latent curative.
How it cures
On heating (typically with an imidazole or urea accelerator) its amine/nitrile groups cure epoxy to a high-Tg, tough, chemically resistant network. The room-temperature latency gives one-component (1K) epoxy long shelf life until baked.
Applications
DICY is used in one-component epoxy: structural adhesives, prepreg/composites, powder coatings, electrical laminates and can/coil coatings, with an accelerator such as an imidazole. See the epoxy curing agents guide.
Forms, grades and handling
DICY is supplied as a fine white powder (micronized grades) in bags and drums. Properties are typical reference values; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot you buy governs. Amine curing agents are typically corrosive and can sensitize skin — handle per the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Each lot ships with CoA, TDS and SDS.
Bulk supply and RFQ
RawSource sources Dicyandiamide direct from producers in bulk, with CoA, TDS and SDS per lot. Tell us your resin system, cure schedule (ambient or heat) and the properties you need (pot life, Tg, flexibility, chemical resistance), and we will quote the right hardener. See selection logic in the epoxy curing agents guide.
Typical Properties
Typical reference values, not a specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot governs.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical / class | Latent epoxy hardener |
| Cure role | Heat-activated (one-component) |
| CAS Number | 461-58-5 |
| Molecular Formula | C2H4N4 |
| Approx. molecular weight | ~84.08 g/mol (grade-defined) |
| Handling | Refer to the current SDS |
Regulatory & registration requirements
- TSCA (US):
- REACH (EU):
- EC number: 207-312-8
Source: EPA TSCA Inventory (July 2025 release) · ECHA CHEM — retrieved 2026-07-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dicyandiamide (DICY) used for?
Dicyandiamide (DICY, CAS 461-58-5) is the standard latent (heat-activated) epoxy hardener for one-component systems: structural adhesives, prepreg/composites, powder coatings and electrical laminates. It is inert at room temperature and cures on heating, usually with an imidazole accelerator.
Why is DICY a latent hardener?
DICY is nearly insoluble and unreactive with epoxy at room temperature, so a formulated 1K epoxy has long shelf life; heating dissolves and activates it to cure, giving a high-Tg, tough network.
How is bulk dicyandiamide supplied and quoted?
RawSource supplies dicyandiamide in bulk with CoA, TDS and SDS per lot. Pricing is quote-based on grade and volume; submit an RFQ with your resin system and cure schedule.
What is the REACH and TSCA regulatory status of Dicyandiamide?
Dicyandiamide (CAS 461-58-5) is subject to U.S. TSCA Inventory requirements; supplying it into the EU requires valid REACH registration ((EC) No 1907/2006). RawSource cannot verify a third-party supplier's registrations — buyers should require documented TSCA and REACH compliance for their jurisdiction and volume (EC 207-312-8).