Is DICY the same as DCD?

Yes — the epoxy hardener “DICY” is dicyandiamide. Only grade and particle size differ between an epoxy DICY and an agricultural DCD.

How is DCD different from a slow-release fertilizer?

DCD chemically inhibits the conversion of ammonium to nitrate in soil. It is not a coated controlled-release product — it works by slowing a microbial reaction.

How should DCD be stored?

As a stable solid: cool, dry, and away from heat and strong acids/oxidisers.

It is REACH-registered with low acute toxicity; EFSA has set a tolerable daily intake of 1 mg/kg body weight/day.

How much DCD is applied to soil?

Field rates reported in the literature commonly fall between 10 and 30 kg per hectare, applied with or shortly after the nitrogen source. The right rate depends on soil type, temperature and the fertiliser being treated.

How long does DCD stay active in soil?

It breaks down microbially, and the rate is strongly temperature-dependent. Reported half-lives run to roughly 89 days at 5 °C, 37 days at 15 °C and 18 days at 25 °C. The inhibition therefore lasts much longer through a cool spring than a warm summer.

Dicyandiamide

CAS 461-58-5 C₂H₄N₄

CAS number: 461-58-5
EC number: 207-312-8
Formula: C₂H₄N₄
Molar mass: 84.08 g/mol
HS code: 2926.20

Supply of Dicyandiamide

Grades: Agricultural/fertilizer, epoxy-curing (standard and micronised DICY), electronic/PCB and pharma grades, differing mainly in assay and particle size.
Packaging: 25 / 50 kg PE-lined bags · 500–1000 kg supersacks
Documents: CoA, SDS and TDS on request; certificate of origin where the destination requires it.
Delivery: Worldwide, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and the rest of the EU, the United Arab Emirates, India, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. Quoted EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP.

Dicyandiamide, or DCD, is a white crystalline powder with two main uses. Farmers add it to nitrogen fertilizer to slow down how quickly soil bacteria convert the nitrogen, so more of it stays in the ground for the crop instead of washing away or escaping as gas. Makers of adhesives, coatings and circuit boards use the same powder as a hardener that makes epoxy resin set when it is heated.

Technical details

Dicyandiamide (DCD), the dimer of cyanamide, is a white crystalline intermediate with two main industrial uses. In agriculture it slows the microbial conversion of ammonium to nitrate, holding nitrogen in the root zone for longer and cutting both leaching losses and nitrous-oxide emissions. In thermoset chemistry the same molecule is “DICY”, the latent hardener that lets one-component epoxy systems sit stable at room temperature and cure only above about 150 °C. It is also a feedstock for guanidine and melamine derivatives, and for metformin. Ehlinar supplies agricultural, epoxy-curing, electronic and pharma grades against your assay and particle-size specification.

Appearance: White crystalline powder, odourless; melting point 208–211 °C; moderately water-soluble.

Applications

AgricultureNitrification inhibitor — holds nitrogen as ammonium, cutting nitrate leaching and N₂O loss

Epoxy & compositesLatent one-component curing agent (DICY) that cures above ~150 °C

Chemical intermediatesFeedstock for guanidine, guanamine and melamine derivatives

Flame retardantsIntumescent flame-retardant systems and gas generants

PharmaIntermediate for metformin and other guanidine derivatives

Water treatmentDCD–formaldehyde resins; also adhesives, drilling fluids and dyestuffs

How we supply

Supplier documentation on request

Certificate of Analysis (CoA), lot-specific where available
Safety Data Sheet (SDS / MSDS)
Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
Certificate of Origin / Certificate of Conformity

Quality assurance

Independent third-party inspection can be arranged on request, with the agency and scope agreed per trade. Representative samples can be requested for qualification, subject to supplier availability. We recommend incoming quality control against the agreed CoA.

Delivery & terms

Quoted on standard Incoterms (e.g. EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP) as agreed per trade. Delivery region, packaging and grade are confirmed per quote.

Documents and services above are subject to supplier availability and confirmed per quote; nothing here is an offer.

Typical / indicative values — not a binding specification

Property	Typical
Melting point	208–211 °C
Water solubility	Moderate
Particle size	Grade-dependent — standard or micronised (DICY)

Also known as

Cyanoguanidine · 2-Cyanoguanidine · DCD · DCDA · DICY (epoxy trade)

Frequently asked questions

Is DICY the same as DCD?: Yes — the epoxy hardener “DICY” is dicyandiamide. Only grade and particle size differ between an epoxy DICY and an agricultural DCD.
How is DCD different from a slow-release fertilizer?: DCD chemically inhibits the conversion of ammonium to nitrate in soil. It is not a coated controlled-release product — it works by slowing a microbial reaction.
How should DCD be stored?: As a stable solid: cool, dry, and away from heat and strong acids/oxidisers.
Is DCD regulated?: It is REACH-registered with low acute toxicity; EFSA has set a tolerable daily intake of 1 mg/kg body weight/day.
How much DCD is applied to soil?: Field rates reported in the literature commonly fall between 10 and 30 kg per hectare, applied with or shortly after the nitrogen source. The right rate depends on soil type, temperature and the fertiliser being treated.
How long does DCD stay active in soil?: It breaks down microbially, and the rate is strongly temperature-dependent. Reported half-lives run to roughly 89 days at 5 °C, 37 days at 15 °C and 18 days at 25 °C. The inhibition therefore lasts much longer through a cool spring than a warm summer.

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Related products

Figures and identifiers here are compiled from public references and provided for general information; they are indicative, not a specification. See all products.