Dilinoleic acid

Dilinoleic acid (CAS 6144-28-1), commercially known as dimer acid or dimer fatty acid, is a dimerized fatty acid produced from linoleic acid used as a reactive building block and functional additive across industrial formulations.

Its bifunctional acid structure makes it a preferred raw material where controlled reactivity, flexibility, and durability are required in finished products. In coatings and adhesives, it reacts with polyamines or polyols.

This process produces polyamide resins and polyurethane systems that deliver flexibility, adhesion, and chemical resistance. Hot-melt and structural adhesives for packaging and woodworking rely on dimer acid-based polyamides.

These systems are also used in automotive assembly for their balance of toughness and thermal stability. In lubricants and metalworking fluids, it functions as a corrosion inhibitor and friction modifier.

The chemical protects ferrous and non-ferrous metal surfaces under high-load conditions. Plastics formulators use it as a chain extender or plasticizing monomer in specialty polyesters and nylon variants.

In these applications, impact resistance and elongation are critical performance targets. The product is supplied as a viscous liquid or low-melting solid, depending on purity and dimerization degree.

Standard commercial grades are characterized by acid value, dimer content, and monomer levels, with typical dimer purity ranging from 75% to 98%. Technical and industrial grades are the most common market forms.

High-purity distilled grades are available for demanding polymer synthesis applications. This versatile chemical remains a staple for manufacturers seeking high-performance resin and lubricant solutions.