When we talk about coatings, whether it’s a polyaspartic floor finish, a corrosion-resistant pipeline coating, or a tough industrial adhesive, what really makes these materials work isn’t just what’s on the label. It’s the chemistry beneath the surface. And at the heart of that chemistry are 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀.

But what exactly are they? And why should they matter to you?

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Are Chemical Intermediates?

Chemical intermediates are the molecular building blocks used to create more complex, functional materials. They aren’t usually found in the final coating, but they’re essential for producing the resins, curing agents, and crosslinkers that give coatings their performance characteristics, things like hardness, flexibility, chemical resistance, and cure speed.

Think of chemical intermediates like ingredients in a recipe. You don’t taste baking soda in a cake, but without it, your cake wouldn’t rise. Same goes for intermediates: without them, high-performance coatings wouldn’t cure properly, last as long, or resist the elements as effectively.

Why Intermediates Matter in Coatings

In coatings systems, especially in epoxies, polyurethanes, and polyaspartics, intermediates are used to:

  • Modify reactivity (control how fast or slow something cures)
  • Improve toughness and abrasion resistance
  • Enhance UV, chemical, and water resistance
  • Increase flexibility or hardness, depending on the need
  • Create compatibility between different raw materials

Their job is to enable performance, whether that means withstanding harsh environments or achieving a perfect finish in a single coat.

Why Quality Counts

Because intermediates drive critical chemical reactions, purity and consistency are key. A high-quality intermediate means:

  • Reliable reaction profiles
  • Fewer formulation issues
  • Better final product performance
  • Less variation from batch to batch

When you’re building a high-stakes formulation, you need materials you can count on.

Key Features and Benefits

  • High-purity, 100% solids options
  • Cycloaliphatic structures for excellent light and chemical resistance
  • Low viscosity and easy handling
  • Versatile compatibility with a wide range of systems
  • Tailored reactivity for performance-driven applications

Pflaumer’s Featured Chemical Intermediates

At Pflaumer, we specialize in advanced chemical intermediates that serve as the backbone for today’s high-performance CASE systems.

TERAMINE® A-136: A reactive amine intermediate that promotes strong adhesion and durability. Ideal for epoxy and hybrid systems used in industrial and protective coatings.

TERAMINE® A-140: Engineered for flexibility and chemical resistance, this amine is excellent in sealants, elastomeric coatings, and systems requiring long-term performance in tough environments.

TERAMINE® 470 (MACM): A liquid, 100% solids cycloaliphatic diamine used to make epoxy crosslinkers, polyaspartic amines, and polyamides. Reacts with diethyl maleate to form polyaspartic amines ideal for one-coat polyaspartic polyurea coatings with fast cure and long-term durability.

TERAMINE® 534 (PACM): A cycloaliphatic diamine used in aliphatic isocyanates, carbamates, epoxy and polyamide systems, and in processing textiles, dyes, plastics, and paper. With a melting point of 35–45°C, it is typically used as a warm liquid reactant.

TERAMINE® LPA-1 (N4-Amine): A low equivalent weight crosslinker for two-component epoxy coatings, adhesives, and plastic bonding. Enables high crosslink density and delivers excellent strength and performance.

Applications in the Real World

Pflaumer’s chemical intermediates are trusted in:

  • Industrial and protective coatings
  • Polyaspartic floor systems
  • Composites and plastics
  • Adhesives and elastomers
  • Textile, dye, and paper processing industries

Wherever performance matters, our intermediates make the difference.

Formulate with Confidence. Request a Sample Today
Looking to strengthen your epoxy system? Streamline your one-coat polyaspartic? Or create next-gen adhesives? Pflaumer has the intermediates that make it possible.

Contact us today to Request Samples of TERAMINE® products… and experience performance chemistry you can trust.

Formulating Confidence Since 1934