Loctite Stycast 2850FT thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant STYCAST 2850FT

Two-part epoxy: an epoxy resin (Part A) and LOCTITE CAT 9 curing agent (Part B). The TDS prints only the technology 'Epoxy' and does not name the resin, filler or full composition.

Loctite Stycast 2850FT is a two-part, thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant for potting electronics.

8 sources · Updated 2026-11-01 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

2 of 5

Lab-measured

Thermal conductivity

1.25 W/(m-K)

Dielectric strength

14.4 kV/mm

Glass transition

86 °C

Working life

45 min

Recipe, share of the weight

  • not statedEpoxy resin (Part A)
  • not statedLOCTITE CAT 9 curing agent (Part B)

Best for

Potting electronics that must shed heat and survive thermal shock: 1.25 W/(m-K) thermal conductivity and 14.4 kV/mm dielectric strength with CAT 9

Weakest at

Short working life (45 minutes at 25 °C for 100 g with CAT 9) and a glass transition temperature of 86 °C, below the 130 °C upper service limit

Risk at a glance

  • People Low. Product hazard data not read
  • If it fails Moderate. Solder-joint fatigue under temperature cycling
  • Corrosion No data. No corrosion data recorded

Quick facts: STYCAST 2850FT

Key properties of STYCAST 2850FT
PropertyValueBasis
Density2.29 g/cm³1 sourced value
Thermal conductivity1.25 W/(m·K)1 sourced value
Thermal expansion (CTE)35 ppm1 sourced value
Maximum service temperature130 °C1 sourced value

What is the density of Loctite Stycast 2850FT thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant?

Loctite Stycast 2850FT thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant has a density of 2.29 g/cm³. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the thermal conductivity of Loctite Stycast 2850FT thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant?

Loctite Stycast 2850FT thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant has a thermal conductivity of 1.25 W/(m·K). The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of Loctite Stycast 2850FT thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant?

Loctite Stycast 2850FT thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 35 ppm. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the maximum service temperature of Loctite Stycast 2850FT thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant?

Loctite Stycast 2850FT thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant has a maximum service temperature of 130 °C. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is Loctite Stycast 2850FT thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant used for?

Uses recorded in the sources include Encapsulated electronic components; Potted assemblies that must move heat out of the encapsulated part.

Why it exists

Loctite STYCAST 2850FT is an epoxy encapsulant made to pot electronics that must shed heat and survive thermal shock. The TDS prints a thermal conductivity of 1.25 W/(m-K) and a dielectric strength of 14.4 kV/mm for the cured CAT 9 system. Henkel recommends it for components that need heat dissipation and thermal shock properties, and describes it as having low CTE, printed as 35.0 ppm below the glass transition.

Where it's used

Potting and encapsulating electronic components

Henkel recommends the product for encapsulating components that need heat dissipation and thermal shock properties. Wikipedia (Potting, electronics) describes potting as filling an assembly with a solid or gelatinous compound to keep out water, moisture and corrosive agents and to improve resistance to shock and vibration.

Potting for heat removal

The TDS prints the cured CAT 9 thermal conductivity as 1.25 W/(m-K). That is the figure that matters when the encapsulant must carry heat away from the potted part.

Recipe

Two-part epoxy: an epoxy resin (Part A) and LOCTITE CAT 9 curing agent (Part B). The TDS prints only the technology 'Epoxy' and does not name the resin, filler or full composition.

Loctite STYCAST 2850FT is a two-part epoxy. Part A is the resin, which the TDS prints as black (Ellsworth's product page calls the blue 60 lb pail product blue). Part B is LOCTITE CAT 9 curing agent, which cures the resin into a crosslinked network. The TDS names only the technology (epoxy) and does not print the resin chemistry, filler or full composition.

What STYCAST 2850FT is made of
IngredientShare of the weightWhat it does
Epoxy resin (Part A) not stated The base resin. The TDS prints the mix ratio as 100:3.5 by weight against CAT 9, so the resin is the reference part of the mix.
LOCTITE CAT 9 curing agent (Part B) not stated Reacts with the resin to form the cured network. Printed as 100:3.5 by weight and 100:8.5 by volume; the TDS gives CAT 9 a cure at 16 to 24 hours at 25 °C.

Weight shares are as printed in the sources.

What it can do

Thermal conductivity

1.25 W/(m-K)

measured

The TDS prints 1.25 W/(m-K) for the cured CAT 9 system. Ellsworth prints the same 1.25 W/mK for Catalyst 9. The other catalysts in the same TDS print higher or lower values, listed in the gaps.

Dielectric strength

14.4 kV/mm

measured

The TDS prints 14.4 kV/mm for the cured CAT 9 system, and a dielectric constant of 5.01 at 1 MHz. Ellsworth prints the same 14.4 kV/mm for Catalyst 9.

Glass transition

86 °C

measured

The cured CAT 9 system has a glass transition of 86 °C. Its service range is -40 to 130 °C, so the upper service limit is above the glass transition.

Working life

45 min

measured

The mixed CAT 9 batch has a working life of 45 minutes for a 100 g mass at 25 °C, printed in the TDS. The TDS also says gentle warming shortens the pot life, so warming the mix to speed flow costs working time.

How it compares

Within the STYCAST 2850FT family, the TDS prints a different thermal conductivity for each catalyst: CAT 9 is 1.25 W/(m-K), CAT 11 is 1.28 W/(m-K), CAT 23LV is 1.1 W/(m-K) and CAT 24LV is 1.01 W/(m-K). CAT 9 has the second-highest printed thermal conductivity of the four, and the lowest printed dielectric strength of the three that print one (14.4 kV/mm, against 14.8 kV/mm for CAT 23LV and 15.0 kV/mm for CAT 11). Its service ceiling of 130 °C is below the 155 °C of CAT 11. No comparison values for other encapsulant families were read in this run, so this profile makes no ranking against them.

The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details.

Benchmarks
MeasurementSTYCAST 2850FT
Thermal behavior and safety
Thermal conductivity, cured1.25 W/(m-K)1
Lifetime and stability
Working life, 100 g mass45 min17
Shelf life, unopened365 days18
Physical and electrical
Hardness, Shore D96 Shore D10
Density as mixed, uncured2.29 g/cm³15
Temperature behavior
Glass transition temperature, cured86 °C5
Other measurements
Dielectric strength, cured14.4 kV/mm2
Dielectric constant at 1 MHz, cured5.01 -3
Dissipation factor at 1 MHz, cured0.028 -4
Coefficient of thermal expansion below Tg35 ppm6
Coefficient of thermal expansion above Tg98.9 ppm7
Water absorption, 24 hour immersion0.03 %8
Linear shrinkage on cure0.2 %9
Flexural strength, cured92 N/mm²11
Compressive strength, cured155 N/mm²12
Minimum operating temperature-40 °C13
Maximum operating temperature130 °C14
Viscosity as mixed, uncured58000 mPa.s16
Total mass loss, outgassing0.25 %19
Collected volatile condensable material0.01 %20

Why choose it, and why not

Good for

  • Potting electronics that must move heat away and resist thermal shock. The TDS gives 1.25 W/(m-K) and the Henkel recommendation for heat dissipation and thermal shock.
  • Electrical insulation of potted parts, with a dielectric strength of 14.4 kV/mm for the cured CAT 9 system, as printed in the TDS.

Watch out for

  • Short working life. The mixed CAT 9 batch lasts 45 minutes at 25 °C for 100 g.
  • Glass transition of 86 °C, below the 130 °C upper service limit, so the material is soft above that temperature.
  • Outgassing: 0.25 % total mass loss and 0.01 % CVCM under the printed NASA test, which matters for optics and thermal surfaces in vacuum.
  • The product's hazard data is not read here. Consult the Safety Data Sheet before handling.

STYCAST 2850FT is a practical, thermally conductive potting epoxy with printed electrical and thermal numbers for the CAT 9 system. It is a plain encapsulant with a short working life and a Tg of 86 °C, and its space relevance rests on one printed outgassing result. The gaps below list what this run could not confirm.

Technical details

For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.

Notes

The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.

Notes for the numbered rows
#MeasurementMethodConditionsCaveat
1Thermal conductivity, curedTypical value printed by Henkel for the cured material with CAT 9. Ellsworth's product page prints the same 1.25 W/mK for Catalyst 9. Unit kept as printed, W/(m-K).catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9state cured material, typical value as printed—
2Dielectric strength, curedTypical value printed by Henkel. Ellsworth's product page prints 14.4 kV/mm for Catalyst 9.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9state cured material, typical value as printed—
3Dielectric constant at 1 MHz, curedPrinted as 5.01/0.028 (dielectric constant / dissipation factor at 1 MHz) in the CAT 9 block.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9frequency 1 MHz—
4Dissipation factor at 1 MHz, curedPrinted as 5.01/0.028 (dielectric constant / dissipation factor at 1 MHz) in the CAT 9 block.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9frequency 1 MHz—
5Glass transition temperature, curedPrinted in the CAT 9 block. The TDS does not name the test method.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9state cured material—
6Coefficient of thermal expansion below TgTDS prints 'ppm' with no per-kelvin unit; kept as printed and not converted. Test method not named.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9region pre Tg (below the glass transition)—
7Coefficient of thermal expansion above TgTDS prints 'ppm' with no per-kelvin unit; kept as printed. Non-canonical benchmark name, listed in gaps.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9region post Tg (above the glass transition)—
8Water absorption, 24 hour immersionPrinted as 'Water absorption, (24 hr immersion), %' in the CAT 9 block. Canonical name moisture_absorption (alias water_absorption).catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9immersion 24 hours—
9Linear shrinkage on curePrinted in the CAT 9 block. Non-canonical benchmark name, listed in gaps.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9state cured material—
10Hardness, Shore DPrinted as 'Hardness, Shore D 96' in the CAT 9 block. Non-canonical benchmark name, listed in gaps.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9state cured material—
11Flexural strength, curedPrinted as 92 N/mm² (13,300 psi) in the cured performance table. Unit kept as printed.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9state cured as mixed, typical value—
12Compressive strength, curedPrinted as 155 N/mm² (22,500 psi) in the cured performance table. Non-canonical benchmark name, listed in gaps.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9state cured as mixed, typical value—
13Minimum operating temperaturePrinted as 'Operating temperature, °C -40 to 130' in the CAT 9 product characteristics. The TDS does not say whether this is continuous or intermittent.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9type operating temperature, as printed—
14Maximum operating temperaturePrinted as 'Operating temperature, °C -40 to 130' in the CAT 9 product characteristics. The TDS does not say whether this is continuous or intermittent.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9type operating temperature, as printed—
15Density as mixed, uncuredPrinted in the 'Typical uncured properties as mixed' table for the CAT 9 row.state uncured, as mixed with CAT 9temperature not printed in the table—
16Viscosity as mixed, uncuredPrinted as 58,000 mPa·s at 25 °C in the 'Typical uncured properties as mixed' table. Non-canonical benchmark name, listed in gaps.state uncured, as mixed with CAT 9temperature 25 °C—
17Working life, 100 g massPrinted as 45 minutes (100 gram mass at 25 °C). Non-canonical benchmark name, listed in gaps.state uncured, as mixed with CAT 9mass 100 gtemperature 25 °C—
18Shelf life, unopenedPrinted in the uncured-material table. Non-canonical benchmark name, listed in gaps.storage 18 to 25 °Cbasis from date of manufacture—
19Total mass loss, outgassingPrinted as TML 0.25 % in the CAT 9 block. Non-canonical benchmark name, listed in gaps.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9cure 24 hours at 25 °Ctest outgassing per NASA Reference Publication 1124, as stated in the TDS—
20Collected volatile condensable materialPrinted as CVCM 0.01 % in the CAT 9 block. Non-canonical benchmark name, listed in gaps.catalyst LOCTITE CAT 9cure 24 hours at 25 °Ctest outgassing per NASA Reference Publication 1124, as stated in the TDS—

Corrosion and compatibility

What happens when it meets other materials and environments.

Corrosion and compatibility
EnvironmentConcernWhat happens
Water immersion, 24 hours not rated Cured CAT 9 material absorbs 0.03 % water after 24 hours of immersion.1
Chemical exposure not rated The TDS describes the CAT 9 system as having good chemical resistance, with no numbers.2
Vacuum exposure after cure not rated Cured CAT 9 material releases 0.25 % total mass loss and 0.01 % CVCM under the NASA outgassing test printed in the TDS.3
Corrosion details
#EnvironmentDetailsTest conditions
1 Water immersion, 24 hours The TDS prints water absorption of 0.03 % after a 24 hour immersion for the CAT 9 system. The TDS gives no longer immersion results for this system, and it lists the CAT 11 system at 0.05 %, so the CAT 9 value should not be read as a long-term figure. —
2 Chemical exposure The CAT 9 product characteristics list 'Good chemical resistance' and 'Good physical strength'. The TDS gives no test, medium or duration, so no chemical compatibility list can be drawn from it. —
3 Vacuum exposure after cure The TDS prints TML 0.25 % and CVCM 0.01 % for the CAT 9 system cured 24 hours at 25 °C, per NASA Reference Publication 1124. Outgassing is the release of trapped or absorbed gas from a material, and NASA and ESA keep lists of low-outgassing materials because released gases can condense on optics, thermal radiators and solar cells (Wikipedia, Outgassing). —

Risks and side effects

Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.

For people

The product SDS was not reachable in this run. The only GHS data read are for bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, a common epoxy resin, which is a component-class record and not a product classification.

The product
The TDS sends all safe-handling information to the Safety Data Sheet and prints the flash point only as 'see SDS'.
Epoxy resin class
PubChem's record for BADGE (CID 2286) lists H315, H317 and H319 with the signal word Warning, and H411 from ECHA notifications at 50.9%.
Mixing
Mixing and degassing take several minutes of hand work and vacuum. Keep the mixed batch under control, because the cure is exothermic.

In service

The TDS gives no in-service hazard statement for the cured material. Its only printed space-relevant number is the outgassing result.

Outgassing
TML 0.25 % and CVCM 0.01 % for the CAT 9 system cured 24 hours at 25 °C, under the NASA Reference Publication 1124 test printed in the TDS.

Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.

Failure risks

Failure risks
FailureTrigger and consequence
Solder-joint fatigue under temperature cyclingmoderate severityRigid encapsulant held across a wide temperature rangeWikipedia says compounds with high glass transition temperatures can break solder bonds through solder fatigue, because they shrink as rigid solids across a wider temperature range. The CAT 9 system has a glass transition of 86 °C with CTE of 35.0 ppm below and 98.9 ppm above Tg, per the TDS. The sources read give no threshold for what counts as a high Tg, so the risk is not quantified.
Outgassing contamination in vacuumlow severityUse in vacuum after cureThe CAT 9 system releases 0.25 % total mass loss and 0.01 % CVCM under the NASA test printed in the TDS. Released gases can condense on optics, thermal radiators or solar cells (Wikipedia, Outgassing).

Side effects on surrounding parts

Side effects on surrounding parts
AffectsEffect
Heat build-up in the mixed batch and in the potted assemblyEpoxy curing is exothermic, so heat from the reaction can be a concern (Wikipedia, Epoxy).
Working time of the mixed batchGentle warming lowers the viscosity but shortens the pot life (TDS directions for use).

Handling and storage

  • Mix by weight 100:3.5 (resin to CAT 9) or by volume 100:8.5. Blend by hand for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping the sides, then power mix for a further 2 to 3 minutes. Vacuum deair at 1 to 5 mm mercury until bubbling stops, usually 3 to 10 minutes.
  • CAT 9 cure schedules printed: 16 to 24 hours at 25 °C, 4 to 6 hours at 45 °C, or 1 to 2 hours at 65 °C. The TDS advises a post cure of 2 to 4 hours at the highest expected use temperature for optimum performance.
  • If the resin or hardener has crystallized, warm the shipping container to 50 to 60 °C until the crystals dissolve, and loosely cover it while warming. Some separation is common in shipping and storage, so mix thoroughly before use.
  • Store unopened in a dry location at 18 to 25 °C. Material removed from its container may be contaminated, and should not be returned to the original container.

Mitigations

  • Vacuum deair the mixed batch to remove entrapped air for a void-free embedment (TDS directions 9 to 11), and clean substrates to remove oxide, dust, moisture, salt and oils, which cause poor adhesion or corrosion in a bonded part (TDS direction 3).

Supply and geography

How common the raw materials are and where they come from.

Bisphenol A (feedstock for epoxy resins)

Epichlorohydrin (feedstock for epoxy resins)

Updated