Hydrogenated Petroleum Resin: A Comprehensive Guide to Types, Applications

What Is Hydrogenated Petroleum Resin?

Petroleum resin is a thermoplastic polymer with low molecular weight (typically between 200–3000), produced from by-products of petroleum cracking, such as C5–C9 fractions. Known for excellent water, acid, and alkali resistance, it is widely used in coatings, rubber compounding, paper processing, printing inks, and adhesives.

However, unrefined petroleum resin contains unsaturated groups—including alkenyl and aryl structures—and impurities like sulfides and halides. These lead to drawbacks such as poor thermal and light stability, undesirable odor, and dark color. Such limitations restrict its use in high-value applications.

Hydrogenation offers an effective solution. Through catalytic hydrogenation, double bonds in the resin molecular structure are saturated, and impurities such as sulfur and halogens are removed. This process significantly improves the resin’s properties—making it more stable, transparent, and durable—and transforms it into a high-performance industrial material.

Main Types of Hydrogenated Petroleum Resins

Hydrogenated petroleum resins are generally classified by the raw materials used in their production:

· C5 Hydrogenated Resin
Produced from C5 fractions via cationic polymerization. It appears as a white to yellow granular solid, is non-toxic, non-flammable, and offers good solubility in common organic solvents.

· C9 Hydrogenated Resin
Derived from C9 fractions, this semi- or fully-hydrogenated resin is water-white, offers excellent heat stability, very low odor, and broad compatibility with polymers such as EVA and SBS.

· DCPD Hydrogenated Resin
Made from dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), this type undergoes specialized polymerization and hydrogenation. It exhibits outstanding tackifying ability, thermal stability, and light resistance, making it ideal for high-end applications.

Common Applications of Hydrogenated Petroleum Resins

Thanks to hydrogenation, these resins become light in color, thermally stable, and highly compatible with other materials. They are widely used across industries:

Why Choose Hydrogenated Petroleum Resins?

Hydrogenated petroleum resins deliver a valuable set of performance characteristics:

✅ Excellent thermal and light stability

✅ Good resistance to water, acids, and alkalis

✅ Light color—often water-white or pale yellow

✅ Low odor and safe to handle

✅ Broad compatibility with polymers, elastomers, and oils

These properties make hydrogenated resins ideal for demanding environments and high-quality product formulations, especially where appearance, durability, and aging resistance matter.