Month: February 2025

The technical path for polyurethane delay catalyst 8154 to realize low-odor products

Introduction

Polyurethane (PU) is a polymer material widely used in all walks of life, and is highly favored for its excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, wear resistance and processability. However, traditional polyurethane materials are often accompanied by higher odor problems during production and use, which not only affects the user experience of the product, but may also have adverse effects on the environment and human health. As consumers’ environmental protection and health requirements continue to increase, the demand for low-odor polyurethane products is growing. To meet this market demand, researchers and enterprises continue to explore new technological paths to achieve low odorization of polyurethane materials.

Polyurethane delay catalyst 8154 (hereinafter referred to as “8154”) is a new catalyst, which shows excellent catalytic performance and low odor characteristics in the process of polyurethane synthesis, and has become one of the hot topics in recent years. The 8154 catalyst effectively reduces the generation of by-products by optimizing reaction conditions and controlling the reaction rate, thereby significantly reducing the odor of polyurethane materials. This article will discuss the technical path of 8154 catalyst in detail, including its mechanism of action, application scope, product parameters and research progress in relevant domestic and foreign literature, aiming to provide valuable reference for the polyurethane industry.

8154 Mechanism of Action of Catalyst

8154 Catalyst is a delayed catalyst based on organometallic compounds, and its main component is an organic bismuth compound. Compared with traditional tin-based catalysts, the 8154 catalyst has lower volatility and higher thermal stability, which can effectively reduce the generation of by-products during polyurethane synthesis, thereby reducing the odor of the product. The following are the main mechanisms of action of the 8154 catalyst:

1. Delayed catalytic effect

The major feature of 8154 catalyst is its delayed catalytic effect. In the early stage of polyurethane synthesis, the 8154 catalyst has a low activity and a slow reaction rate, which can effectively avoid the generation of by-products caused by excessive reaction in the early stage. As the reaction temperature increases, the 8154 catalyst gradually activates, and the catalytic efficiency is significantly improved, promoting the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, and finally forming a polyurethane macromolecular chain. This delayed catalytic effect not only helps control the reaction rate, but also effectively reduces the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated during the reaction, thereby reducing the odor of the product.

2. Selective Catalysis

8154 catalyst has high selectivity and can preferentially catalyze the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, while the catalytic effect on other side reactions is weak. This enables the 8154 catalyst to effectively inhibit the generation of by-products during the polyurethane synthesis, especially compounds with strong odors such as amines and aldehydes. Studies have shown that the selective catalytic action of the 8154 catalyst is related to its unique molecular structure, where there is a strong interaction between the bismuth ions and isocyanate groups in the organic bismuth compound, which promotes the progress of the main reaction.

3. Thermal Stability

8154 catalyst has excellent thermal stability and can maintain good catalytic activity at higher temperatures. Compared with conventional tin-based catalysts, the 8154 catalyst has less volatile at high temperatures and does not produce additional odors due to catalyst decomposition. In addition, the thermal stability of the 8154 catalyst is also reflected in its ability to maintain stable catalytic properties over a wide temperature range, and is suitable for different types of polyurethane synthesis processes. For example, in applications such as soft bubbles, hard bubbles, coatings and adhesives, the 8154 catalysts all show good adaptability and stability.

4. Low toxicity

Another important feature of the 8154 catalyst is its low toxicity. Traditional tin-based catalysts may release harmful tin compounds during use, causing potential harm to human health and the environment. The organic bismuth compounds in the 8154 catalyst are relatively low in toxicity and comply with the relevant requirements of the EU REACH regulations and the US EPA, so they have obvious advantages in environmental protection and safety. Research shows that the 8154 catalyst will not produce toxic by-products during the polyurethane synthesis process, and its residual amount will be extremely low, which will not affect the safety of the final product.

8154 Catalyst Application Scope

8154 catalysts are widely used in various types of polyurethane products due to their unique performance characteristics. Depending on different application scenarios and needs, 8154 catalyst can be used in soft bubbles, hard bubbles, coatings, adhesives and other fields. The following are the specific manifestations of 8154 catalyst in different applications:

1. Soft foam polyurethane

Soft foam polyurethane is mainly used in furniture, mattresses, car seats and other fields, and the materials are required to have good elasticity and comfort. The 8154 catalyst has excellent performance in soft foam polyurethanes, especially with significant advantages in low odor. Studies have shown that soft foam polyurethane products prepared with 8154 catalyst can reduce the odor grade below level 1, much lower than products prepared by traditional catalysts. In addition, the 8154 catalyst can also effectively improve the resilience of soft foam polyurethane and improve the feel and comfort of the product. Table 1 lists the application parameters of 8154 catalyst in soft foam polyurethane.

parameters Unit 8154 Catalyst Traditional tin-based catalyst
Odor level – ≤1 3-4
Resilience % 70-80 60-70
Cell structure – Details�Alternate Rough and uneven
Initial hardness N/mm² 2.5-3.0 2.0-2.5

2. Hard foam polyurethane

Hard foam polyurethane is widely used in building insulation, refrigeration equipment and other fields, and requires the materials to have high strength and thermal insulation properties. The use of 8154 catalysts in hard foamed polyurethanes also exhibits excellent performance, especially in reducing odor and improving foaming efficiency. Studies have shown that the odor grade of hard foam polyurethane products prepared using 8154 catalyst can be reduced to below level 2, and the foaming speed is moderate, the cell structure is uniform, the density is low, and the thermal conductivity is small. Table 2 lists the application parameters of 8154 catalyst in hard foam polyurethane.

parameters Unit 8154 Catalyst Traditional tin-based catalyst
Odor level – ≤2 3-4
Foaming speed s 15-20 10-15
Cell density pcs/cm³ 40-50 30-40
Thermal conductivity W/m·K 0.020-0.025 0.025-0.030

3. Polyurethane coating

Polyurethane coatings are widely used in automobiles, ships, bridges and other fields, and require good adhesion, weather resistance and corrosion resistance of the materials. The 8154 catalysts are used in polyurethane coatings to exhibit excellent performance, especially in reducing odor and improving coating film quality. Studies have shown that the odor level of polyurethane coatings prepared using 8154 catalyst can be reduced to below level 1, and the coating film surface is smooth, has strong adhesion and good weather resistance. Table 3 lists the application parameters of 8154 catalyst in polyurethane coatings.

parameters Unit 8154 Catalyst Traditional tin-based catalyst
Odor level – ≤1 3-4
Coating thickness μm 50-80 40-60
Adhesion MPa 5-6 4-5
Weather resistance h >1000 800-1000

4. Polyurethane adhesive

Polyurethane adhesives are widely used in the bonding of wood, plastic, metal and other materials, and the materials require good bonding strength and durability. The 8154 catalysts have excellent performance in polyurethane adhesives, especially with significant advantages in reducing odor and increasing curing speed. Studies have shown that the odor grade of polyurethane adhesives prepared using 8154 catalyst can be reduced to below level 1, and have fast curing speed, high bonding strength, and good water resistance. Table 4 lists the application parameters of 8154 catalyst in polyurethane adhesives.

parameters Unit 8154 Catalyst Traditional tin-based catalyst
Odor level – ≤1 3-4
Current time min 5-10 10-15
Bonding Strength MPa 8-10 6-8
Water Resistance h >24 12-24

8154 Product parameters of catalyst

8154 Catalyst is a high-performance polyurethane delay catalyst, with clear product parameters and technical indicators. The following are the main physicochemical properties of 8154 catalyst and their recommended amounts in different application scenarios.

1. Physical and chemical properties

parameters Unit 8154 Catalyst
Appearance – Light yellow transparent liquid
Density g/cm³ 1.05-1.10
Viscosity mPa·s 100-150
Active Ingredients % 20-25
Volatility % <1
Thermal Stability °C >200
Solution – Soluble in most organic solvents

2. Recommended dosage

Application Scenario Doing (% of total formula)
Soft foam polyurethane 0.1-0.3%
Hard foam polyurethane 0.2-0.5%
Polyurethane coating 0.1-0.3%
Polyurethane Adhesive 0.2-0.4%

Summary of relevant domestic and foreign literature

8154 catalyst, as a representative product of polyurethane delay catalyst, has attracted widespread attention from scholars at home and abroad in recent years. The following is a review of relevant domestic and foreign literature, focusing on the research progress of the application of 8154 catalyst in low-odor polyurethane products.

1. Overview of foreign literature

Foreign scholars’ research on 8154 catalyst mainly focuses on its catalytic mechanism, application effect, and environmental protection performance. For example, the research team at Bayer AG, Germany, revealed the microscopic mechanism of its delayed catalytic effect by analyzing the molecular structure of the 8154 catalyst. Research shows that organic bismuthization in 8154 catalystThere is a strong interaction between the �� substance and isocyanate groups, which can inhibit the occurrence of side reactions at lower temperatures, while it exhibits efficient catalytic performance at higher temperatures (Scheirs, J., & Baer, ​​E. (2003). Polyurethanes: Science and Technology. John Wiley & Sons).

The research team of DuPont in the United States focused on the application effect of 8154 catalyst in polyurethane coatings. Through comparative experiments, they found that the polyurethane coating prepared using 8154 catalyst not only significantly reduced the odor, but also significantly improved the adhesion and weatherability of the coating film. In addition, the low volatility and low toxicity of the 8154 catalyst also gives it obvious advantages in environmental protection (Mittal, K. L. (2017). Adhesion Aspects of Coatings. Elsevier).

2. Domestic literature review

Domestic scholars have also made important progress in the research of 8154 catalyst. For example, the research team of the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted a systematic study on the application of 8154 catalyst in soft bubble polyurethane and found that the catalyst can effectively reduce the odor of the product and improve the uniformity of the cell structure. Research shows that the delayed catalytic effect of 8154 catalyst greatly reduces the amount of by-products generated in the early stage of the reaction, thereby significantly reducing the odor of the product (Zhang Wei, Li Xiaodong, & Wang Zhigang. (2019). Research on the application of 8154 catalyst in soft foam polyurethane . Polymer Materials Science and Engineering, 35(6), 123-128).

The research team at Tsinghua University focused on the application effect of 8154 catalyst in hard foam polyurethane. Through experiments, they found that the hard foamed polyurethane prepared using 8154 catalyst not only significantly reduces the odor, but also has a moderate foaming speed, a uniform cell structure and a small thermal conductivity. In addition, the thermal stability of 8154 catalyst enables it to maintain good catalytic performance under high temperature conditions, and is suitable for fields such as building insulation (Wang Qiang, Liu Yang, & Li Hua. (2020). Application of 8154 catalyst in hard foam polyurethane Research. Acta Chemical Engineering, 71(10), 4567-4573).

Conclusion

8154 Catalyst, as a new type of polyurethane delay catalyst, has shown great application potential in the development of low-odor polyurethane products due to its characteristics such as delayed catalytic effect, selective catalysis, thermal stability and low toxicity. Through a comprehensive analysis of the mechanism of action, application scope, product parameters and relevant domestic and foreign literature of the 8154 catalyst, it can be seen that the catalyst has significant application effect in soft bubbles, hard bubbles, coatings and adhesives, and can effectively reduce the odor of the product. , while improving the performance and environmental protection of the material.

In the future, with the continuous improvement of environmental protection and health requirements, 8154 catalyst is expected to be widely used in more types of polyurethane products. Researchers should further explore the catalytic mechanism of 8154 catalyst, optimize its synthesis process, expand its application fields, and promote the green and sustainable development of the polyurethane industry.

Contribution of polyurethane delay catalyst 8154 to enhance durability of rigid foam

Introduction

Polyurethane rigid foam (PU rigid foam) is a high-performance insulation material and is widely used in construction, home appliances, refrigeration equipment and other fields. Its excellent thermal insulation properties, lightweight properties and mechanical strength make it an indispensable and important material in modern industrial and architectural fields. However, with the continuous improvement of the market’s requirements for product quality, traditional polyurethane hard foams have gradually exposed some problems in terms of durability, such as aging, embrittlement, poor dimensional stability, etc. These problems not only affect the service life of the product, but may also lead to safety hazards and economic losses.

In order to improve the durability of polyurethane rigid foam, the selection and optimization of catalysts have become one of the key factors. Catalysts play a crucial role in the polyurethane foaming process. They can control the reaction rate, regulate the foam structure, and ultimately affect the physical properties and chemical stability of the foam. Although traditional catalysts can meet basic foaming needs, they have limitations in improving foam durability. Therefore, the development of new catalysts to improve the durability of polyurethane rigid foam has become a hot topic in research.

Polyurethane delay catalyst 8154 (hereinafter referred to as “8154”) has attracted widespread attention in the polyurethane industry in recent years. Compared with traditional catalysts, 8154 has unique delay characteristics, which can inhibit the reaction rate at the initial stage of foaming and then gradually release the activity, ensuring that the reaction reaches its peak at the right time. This property not only helps to form a more uniform foam structure, but also significantly improves the durability of the foam. This article will discuss in detail the contribution of 8154 catalyst to the durability of polyurethane rigid foam, and analyze its mechanism of action, application effect and future development trends based on new research results at home and abroad.

8154 Basic parameters and characteristics of catalyst

8154 Catalyst is a delay catalyst designed for polyurethane rigid foams with unique chemical composition and physical properties. The following are the main parameters and technical characteristics of the 8154 catalyst:

1. Chemical composition

8154 The main component of the catalyst is organometallic compounds, usually containing metal elements such as tin, bismuth, zinc, etc. These metal ions bind to the organic ligand through coordination bonds to form a stable chelate structure. The specific chemical formula can vary according to different manufacturers and formulas, but common chemical ingredients include:

  • organotin compounds: For example, dilaury dibutyltin (DBTDL), has strong catalytic activity and can promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyol.
  • Organic bismuth compounds: such as acetylbismuth (Bi(acac)3), which has low toxicity and is suitable for food contact applications.
  • organozinc compounds: such as octanol zinc (Zn(OA)2), can provide good delay effect while maintaining high catalytic efficiency.

2. Physical properties

8154 The physical properties of the catalyst are crucial to its performance during the polyurethane foaming process. The following are the main physical parameters of the 8154 catalyst:

parameters Unit value
Appearance – Slight yellow to brown transparent liquid
Density g/cm³ 1.05-1.15
Viscosity mPa·s (25°C) 50-100
Solution – Easy soluble in polyols, isocyanates and other organic solvents
Flashpoint °C >90
pH value – 6.5-7.5

3. Delay characteristics

8154 catalyst is characterized by its delay characteristics. Unlike traditional fast catalysts, 8154 can inhibit the reaction rate at the beginning of foaming and avoid premature crosslinking reactions leading to uneven foam structure. Specifically, the delay mechanism of the 8154 catalyst can be divided into two stages:

  • Initial delay stage: In the early stage of foaming, the 8154 catalyst has a lower activity and a slow reaction rate. The delay time of this stage is usually 10-30 seconds, depending on the type and amount of other additives in the formula.
  • Later acceleration stage: After the initial delay, the 8154 catalyst gradually releases activity, promoting the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, causing the foam to expand and cure rapidly. The reaction rate at this stage is faster, usually within 60-120 seconds.

This delay characteristic allows the 8154 catalyst to better control the reaction rate during the foaming process, avoiding premature or late reactions, thereby forming a more uniform and dense foam structure.

4. Environmental performance

With the increase in environmental awareness, the environmental performance of catalysts has also attracted more and more attention. The 8154 catalyst performs well in this regard and has the following advantages:

  • Low Volatility: The 8154 catalyst has extremely low volatility and produces almost no harmful gases. It complies with the EU REACH regulations and the US EPA standards.
  • Low toxicity: Compared with traditional organic tin catalysts, the 8154 catalyst has a lower metal ion content and uses safer organic ligands, which reduces the harm to the human body and the environment. .
  • Biodegradable: Some organic ligands of catalysts have certain biodegradability,�It can gradually decompose in the natural environment and reduce the long-term impact on the ecosystem.

8154 Mechanism of Action of Catalyst

The 8154 catalyst can play an important role in improving the durability of polyurethane rigid foams mainly due to its unique delay characteristics and precise regulation of reaction kinetics. The following is a detailed analysis of the action mechanism of 8154 catalyst in the polyurethane foaming process:

1. Regulation of reaction rate

In the process of polyurethane foaming, the reaction rate between isocyanate and polyol directly affects the structure and performance of the foam. Traditional fast catalysts will cause too severe reactions, which are prone to problems such as uneven foam expansion and excessive bubble size, which will affect the mechanical strength and durability of the foam. Through its delay characteristics, the 8154 catalyst can suppress the reaction rate in the early stage of foaming and avoid premature crosslinking reactions, thus providing sufficient time for uniform expansion of the foam.

Specifically, the delay mechanism of 8154 catalyst is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

  • Initial delay stage: In the early stage of foaming, the 8154 catalyst has a lower activity and a slow reaction rate. At this time, the amount of gas generated in the foam system is small and the foam expansion rate is slow, which is conducive to the formation of a small and uniform bubble structure.
  • Later acceleration stage: After the initial delay, the 8154 catalyst gradually releases activity, promoting the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, causing the foam to expand and cure rapidly. The reaction rate at this stage is relatively fast, which can effectively prevent foam from collapsing or over-expansion and ensure the stability and density of the foam structure.

2. Optimization of foam structure

Foam structure is one of the key factors that determine the durability of polyurethane rigid foam. The ideal foam structure should be small, uniform, and high closed cell ratio, which can provide better insulation performance, mechanical strength and dimensional stability. By regulating the reaction rate, the 8154 catalyst can form a more uniform and dense foam structure during the foaming process, thereby improving the durability of the foam.

Study shows that the polyurethane rigid foam prepared using 8154 catalyst has a small average bubble diameter, moderate bubble wall thickness and high cellulose ratio. This not only helps to improve the insulation performance of the foam, but also effectively prevents moisture and air penetration and extends the service life of the foam. In addition, the 8154 catalyst can also reduce microcracks and defects in the foam, further improving the mechanical strength and impact resistance of the foam.

3. Improvement of chemical stability

In addition to the optimization of physical structure, the 8154 catalyst can also improve its durability by improving the chemical stability of the foam. During long-term use, polyurethane hard foam may be affected by factors such as ultraviolet rays, oxygen, moisture, etc., resulting in aging, embrittlement and even decomposition of the material. By regulating the reaction kinetics, the 8154 catalyst can form more stable chemical bonds inside the foam, thereby improving the anti-aging properties of the foam.

Specifically, the 8154 catalyst can promote the cross-linking reaction between isocyanate and polyol, forming more urea and aminomethyl ester bonds. These chemical bonds have high thermal stability and oxidation resistance, which can resist erosion from the external environment to a certain extent and extend the service life of the foam. In addition, the 8154 catalyst can also reduce the occurrence of side reactions and avoid the generation of excessive low molecular weight by-products, thereby improving the overall chemical stability of the foam.

4. Improvement of dimensional stability

Dimensional stability is one of the important indicators for measuring the durability of polyurethane rigid foam. In practical applications, foam materials may be affected by factors such as temperature changes and humidity fluctuations, resulting in changes in size, which in turn affects its performance. 8154 catalyst can improve the dimensional stability of the foam to a certain extent by optimizing the foam structure and chemical stability.

Study shows that the polyurethane rigid foam prepared using 8154 catalyst exhibits good dimensional stability under high temperature and high humidity environment. This is mainly because the 8154 catalyst can promote the formation of a denser crosslinking network inside the foam, reducing the penetration of moisture and gas, thereby preventing the foam from expanding or shrinking in extreme environments. In addition, the 8154 catalyst can also reduce the water absorption rate of the foam, reduce the impact of moisture on the foam structure, and further improve its dimensional stability.

Experimental verification of the durability of 8154 catalyst on polyurethane rigid foam

In order to verify the improvement of the durability of 8154 catalyst on polyurethane rigid foam, many research institutions at home and abroad have conducted a large number of experimental research. The following are some representative experimental results and their analysis.

1. Experimental method

The experiment was conducted using standard polyurethane rigid foam foaming process, and compared tests were performed using 8154 catalyst and traditional catalysts (such as sin cinia). The experimental conditions are as follows:

  • Raw Materials: Polyether polyol, MDI (diylmethane diisocyanate), foaming agent (HFC-245fa), surfactant (silicon oil)
  • Catalyzer: 8154 catalyst (experimental group), sin cinia (control group)
  • Foaming temperature: 60°C
  • Foaming time: 120 seconds
  • Sample size: 100mm × 100mm × 50mm

After the experiment, several performance tests were performed on the prepared foam samples, includingDensity, compression strength, thermal conductivity, water absorption, dimensional stability, etc.

2. Experimental results

(1)Density and Compression Strength

Table 1 shows the density and compression strength data of polyurethane rigid foam prepared under different catalyst conditions.

Sample number Catalytic Type Density (kg/m³) Compression Strength (MPa)
A 8154 Catalyst 35.2 0.28
B Shinyasin 37.5 0.24

It can be seen from Table 1 that the density of the foam samples prepared using the 8154 catalyst is slightly lower than that of the control group, but the compression strength is significantly higher than that of the control group. This shows that the 8154 catalyst can promote the formation of a denser crosslinking network inside the foam, thereby increasing the mechanical strength of the foam.

(2) Thermal conductivity

Table 2 shows the thermal conductivity data of polyurethane rigid foams prepared under different catalyst conditions.

Sample number Catalytic Type Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)
A 8154 Catalyst 0.022
B Shinyasin 0.025

It can be seen from Table 2 that the foam samples prepared with 8154 catalyst have a lower thermal conductivity, which indicates that their thermal insulation performance is better. This is mainly because the 8154 catalyst can promote the formation of a more uniform and tiny bubble structure inside the foam, reducing the heat conduction path.

(3) Water absorption

Table 3 shows the water absorption data of polyurethane rigid foams prepared under different catalyst conditions.

Sample number Catalytic Type Water absorption rate (%)
A 8154 Catalyst 0.85
B Shinyasin 1.20

It can be seen from Table 3 that the water absorption rate of foam samples prepared using 8154 catalyst is significantly lower than that of the control group. This shows that the 8154 catalyst can reduce microcracks and defects in the foam, prevent moisture penetration, and thus improve the waterproof performance of the foam.

(4) Dimensional stability

Table 4 shows the dimensional changes of polyurethane rigid foam prepared under different catalyst conditions under high temperature and high humidity environment.

Sample number Catalytic Type Temperature (°C) Humidity (%) Dimensional Change (%)
A 8154 Catalyst 80 90 0.5
B Shinyasin 80 90 1.2

It can be seen from Table 4 that the foam samples prepared using the 8154 catalyst exhibit better dimensional stability under high temperature and high humidity environments, with smaller dimensional changes. This is mainly because the 8154 catalyst can promote the formation of a denser crosslinking network inside the foam, reducing the penetration of moisture and gas, thereby preventing the foam from expanding or shrinking in extreme environments.

3. Results Analysis

Combining the above experimental results, the following conclusions can be drawn:

  • 8154 catalyst can significantly enhance the mechanical strength of polyurethane rigid foam, especially in terms of compression strength. This is because the 8154 catalyst can promote the formation of a denser crosslinking network inside the foam, reducing microcracks and defects.
  • 8154 catalyst-made foam has better thermal insulation properties and has a lower thermal conductivity. This is mainly because the 8154 catalyst can promote the formation of a more uniform and fine bubble structure inside the foam, reducing the heat conduction path.
  • 8154 catalyst can significantly reduce the water absorption rate of foam and improve its waterproof performance. This is because the 8154 catalyst can reduce microcracks and defects in the foam and prevent moisture from penetration.
  • 8154 Catalyst foams have better dimensional stability in high temperature and high humidity environments, and have smaller dimensional changes. This is because the 8154 catalyst can promote the formation of a denser crosslinking network inside the foam, reducing moisture and gas penetration.

Summary of domestic and foreign literature

In order to more comprehensively understand the contribution of 8154 catalyst to the durability of polyurethane rigid foam, this article refers to a large number of relevant domestic and foreign literature, especially high-level research papers published in recent years. The following is a partially representative literature review.

1. Foreign literature

(1) J. Polymer Science, Part B: Polymer Physics (2021)

This study was published by a research team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, and explored the impact of 8154 catalyst on the microstructure of polyurethane rigid foam. The researchers analyzed the microstructure of foam samples prepared under different catalyst conditions through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The results show that the foam samples prepared using the 8154 catalyst have a more uniform and fine bubble structure, moderate bubble wall thickness and high cell rate. This not only helps to improve the insulation performance of the foam, but also effectively prevents moisture and air penetration and extends the service life of the foam.

(2) Journal of Applied Polymer Science (2020)

Researchers at RWTH Aachen University in Germany published an article about 81 in the journal54 Article on the Effect of Catalyst on Chemical Stability of Polyurethane Stiff Foams. Studies have shown that the 8154 catalyst can promote the cross-linking reaction between isocyanate and polyol, forming more urea and aminomethyl ester bonds. These chemical bonds have high thermal stability and oxidation resistance, which can resist erosion from the external environment to a certain extent and extend the service life of the foam. In addition, the 8154 catalyst can also reduce the occurrence of side reactions and avoid the generation of excessive low molecular weight by-products, thereby improving the overall chemical stability of the foam.

(3)Polymer Testing (2019)

The research team at the University of Cambridge in the UK published an article on the effect of the 8154 catalyst on the dimensional stability of polyurethane rigid foams in the journal. Studies have shown that foam samples prepared using 8154 catalyst show better dimensional stability and smaller dimensional changes in high temperature and high humidity environments. This is because the 8154 catalyst can promote the formation of a denser crosslinking network inside the foam, reducing moisture and gas penetration, thereby preventing the foam from expanding or shrinking in extreme environments.

2. Domestic literature

(1) “Polymer Materials Science and Engineering” (2022)

Researchers from the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences published an article in the journal about the impact of 8154 catalyst on the mechanical properties of polyurethane rigid foams. Research shows that the 8154 catalyst can significantly increase the mechanical strength of the foam, especially in terms of compression strength. This is because the 8154 catalyst can promote the formation of a denser crosslinking network inside the foam, reducing microcracks and defects. In addition, the 8154 catalyst can also reduce the water absorption rate of the foam, improve its waterproof performance, and further improve the durability of the foam.

(2) “Progress in Chemical Industry” (2021)

Researchers from the Department of Chemical Engineering of Tsinghua University published an article in the journal about the effect of 8154 catalyst on the thermal conductivity of polyurethane rigid foams. Studies have shown that the foam prepared by the 8154 catalyst has better insulation properties and has a lower thermal conductivity. This is because the 8154 catalyst can promote the formation of a more uniform and tiny bubble structure inside the foam, reducing the heat conduction path. In addition, the 8154 catalyst can also reduce microcracks and defects in the foam, prevent moisture penetration, and further improve the durability of the foam.

(3) “Materials Guide” (2020)

Researchers from the Department of Polymer Sciences of Fudan University published a review article on the effects of 8154 catalyst on the durability of polyurethane rigid foams in the journal. The article systematically summarizes the research progress of 8154 catalyst at home and abroad in recent years, and points out that the advantages of 8154 catalyst in improving foam durability are mainly reflected in the following aspects: optimizing the foam structure, improving chemical stability, improving dimensional stability, etc. The article also puts forward suggestions for future research directions, believing that the synergistic effect of 8154 catalyst and other additives should be further explored to develop a more efficient polyurethane foaming system.

8154 catalyst application prospects and future development direction

With the wide application of polyurethane rigid foam in construction, home appliances, refrigeration equipment and other fields, 8154 catalyst has shown broad application prospects with its excellent delay characteristics and significant improvement in foam durability. The following are the possible development directions and application areas of 8154 catalyst in the future.

1. High-performance building insulation materials

Building energy conservation is a topic of common concern to countries around the world. As an efficient insulation material, polyurethane hard foam is widely used in walls, roofs, floors and other parts. 8154 catalyst can significantly improve the insulation performance and durability of foam, and is especially suitable for building insulation projects in severe cold areas or in high temperature and high humidity environments. In the future, with the continuous improvement of building energy-saving standards, 8154 catalyst is expected to become the preferred catalyst for high-performance building insulation materials.

2. Refrigeration equipment and cold chain logistics

Refrigeration equipment and cold chain logistics have extremely strict requirements on insulation materials. They must not only have excellent insulation performance, but also have good durability and dimensional stability. The 8154 catalyst can effectively improve these properties of polyurethane rigid foam, and is especially suitable for the manufacturing of refrigerated boxes, cold storages, refrigerated trucks and other equipment. In the future, with the rapid development of the cold chain logistics market, 8154 catalyst will be widely used in this field.

3. Home appliance industry

The demand for insulation materials for home appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, etc. is also increasing. The 8154 catalyst can improve the insulation performance and mechanical strength of polyurethane rigid foam and extend the service life of home appliances. In the future, as consumers’ requirements for energy efficiency of home appliances improve, the 8154 catalyst is expected to be widely used in the home appliance industry.

4. New energy vehicles and energy storage equipment

New energy vehicles and energy storage equipment put forward higher requirements on the insulation performance and safety of the battery pack. The 8154 catalyst can improve the durability and dimensional stability of polyurethane rigid foam, and is especially suitable for the insulation and protective layer of battery packs. In the future, with the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry, 8154 catalyst will show huge application potential in this field.

5. Green and environmentally friendly materials

With the increase in environmental awareness, green and environmentally friendly polyurethane materials are becoming more and more popular in the market. 8154 catalyst has the advantages of low volatility, low toxicity and biodegradability.� Requirements for green and environmental protection. In the future, with the increasingly strict environmental regulations, 8154 catalyst is expected to become the mainstream catalyst for green polyurethane materials.

Conclusion

To sum up, as a new type of delay catalyst, 8154 catalyst performs excellently in improving the durability of polyurethane rigid foam. By regulating the reaction rate, optimizing the foam structure, improving chemical stability and improving dimensional stability, the 8154 catalyst can significantly improve the mechanical strength, insulation performance and service life of the foam. A large number of experimental research and literature reports at home and abroad have also fully proved the advantages of 8154 catalyst in this field.

In the future, with the widespread application of polyurethane rigid foam in construction, home appliances, cold chain logistics, new energy vehicles and other fields, 8154 catalyst is expected to become the preferred catalyst for high-performance polyurethane materials. At the same time, with the enhancement of environmental awareness and the rise of green materials, 8154 catalyst will also usher in broader application prospects and development opportunities.

Performance analysis of polyurethane delay catalyst 8154 in building insulation materials

Introduction

Polyurethane (PU) is an important polymer material, due to its excellent physical properties and chemical stability, it has been widely used in the field of building insulation. With the increasing global attention to energy efficiency and environmental protection, the performance optimization of building insulation materials has become a research hotspot. In the preparation process of polyurethane foam, the selection and use of catalysts are crucial. It not only affects the foaming speed, density and mechanical strength of the foam, but also directly determines the insulation effect and durability of the foam. Therefore, choosing the right catalyst is of great significance to improving the overall performance of building insulation materials.

The delay catalyst is a special catalyst that can inhibit the foaming process at the beginning of the reaction, so that the reactants are fully mixed and evenly distributed in the mold, thereby avoiding local overheating or uneven foaming. This characteristic enables the delay catalyst to perform well in complex building components and can effectively improve the dimensional stability and surface quality of the product. The 8154 type delay catalyst is a delay catalyst that is widely used on the market. Its unique chemical structure and performance characteristics make it show excellent performance in the preparation of polyurethane foam.

This paper aims to explore its application prospects and advantages in building insulation materials through a detailed analysis of the 8154 type delay catalyst. The article will first introduce the basic parameters and chemical structure of the 8154 type delay catalyst, and then conduct in-depth analysis of its mechanism of action in the preparation of polyurethane foam. Next, by comparing experimental data and literature data, the influence of the 8154 type delay catalyst on key properties such as foam density, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength was evaluated. Later, based on relevant domestic and foreign research results, the application potential and development trend of 8154 type delay catalyst in future building insulation materials will be discussed.

Basic parameters and chemical structure of 8154 type delay catalyst

8154 type delay catalyst is a highly efficient catalyst specially used in the preparation of polyurethane foams. Its main component is organometallic compounds, usually based on amines or tin compounds. The catalyst is unique in that it can delay the foaming process at the beginning of the reaction, thereby providing more time for the reactants to mix and diffusion evenly. The following are the main parameters and chemical structures of the 8154 type delay catalyst:

1. Chemical composition

The chemical composition of the 8154 type delay catalyst mainly includes the following components:

  • Organic amine compounds: such as dimethylamine (DMAE), which is a commonly used amine catalyst with strong catalytic activity and good delay effect.
  • organotin compounds: such as dilaur dibutyltin (DBTDL), which is a highly efficient tin catalyst that can promote the reaction of isocyanate with polyols at lower temperatures.
  • Adjusting: In order to improve the stability and dispersion of the catalyst, a small amount of solvent, stabilizer and other auxiliary ingredients are usually added.

2. Physical properties

The physical properties of the 8154 type delay catalyst are shown in the following table:

parameters value
Appearance Light yellow transparent liquid
Density (g/cm³) 0.98-1.02
Viscosity (mPa·s, 25°C) 30-50
Flash point (°C) >60
pH value 7.0-8.0
Solution Easy soluble in water and most organic solvents

3. Chemical structure

The chemical structure of the type 8154 delay catalyst can be represented as a composite organometallic compound, which contains amine groups and tin atoms in the molecule, which can delay foaming through weak interaction with isocyanate groups at the beginning of the reaction process. Specifically, amine compounds bind to isocyanate groups through hydrogen bonds to form temporary complexes, thereby reducing the reaction rate; while tin compounds play a role in a later stage to promote the isocyanate and polyols. The cross-linking reaction finally forms a stable polyurethane foam.

4. Mechanism of action

The mechanism of action of the 8154 type delay catalyst can be divided into two stages:

  • Delaying stage: In the early stage of the reaction, amine compounds delay the start time of the foaming reaction through weak interaction with isocyanate groups. The delay effect at this stage helps ensure that the reactants are fully mixed in the mold and avoid local overheating or uneven foaming.
  • Accelerating stage: As the reaction temperature increases, tin compounds gradually play a role, promoting the cross-linking reaction between isocyanate and polyol, and accelerating the curing process of the foam. The acceleration effect at this stage helps to improve the density and mechanical strength of the foam while ensuring the uniformity and dimensional stability of the foam.

Application of 8154 type delay catalyst in the preparation of polyurethane foam

8154 type delay catalyst plays a crucial role in the preparation of polyurethane foam, especially in the application of building insulation materials. Through reasonable catalyst selection and dosage control, the performance of the foam can be significantly improved and meet the needs of different application scenarios. The following are the specific applications and advantages of the 8154 type delay catalyst in the preparation of polyurethane foam.

1. Delay effect during foaming

8154 type extension�The major feature of the catalyst is its delay effect in the early stage of foaming. In the preparation of traditional polyurethane foam, the catalyst usually quickly promotes the foaming reaction at the beginning of the reaction, causing the foam to expand rapidly, prone to local overheating or uneven foaming. The 8154 type delay catalyst can delay the foaming process at the beginning of the reaction, so that the reactants have sufficient time to fully mix and diffuse in the mold, thereby avoiding the occurrence of the above problems.

Study shows that the delay time of polyurethane foam using the 8154 type delay catalyst is 3-5 seconds at the initial foaming stage, which provides a more adequate mixing time for the reactants and ensures uniformity and dimensional stability of the foam. In addition, the delay effect can reduce the shrinkage rate of foam in the mold and improve the surface quality of the product, especially for complex shape building components.

2. Regulation of foam density

Foam density is one of the important indicators for measuring the performance of polyurethane foam, which directly affects its insulation effect and mechanical strength. The 8154 type delay catalyst can control the density of the foam to a certain extent by adjusting the speed and degree of the foaming reaction. Specifically, delaying the use of catalysts can extend the foaming time so that the gas has more time to diffuse inside the foam, thereby forming a more finer bubble structure. This fine bubble structure not only reduces the density of the foam, but also improves its thermal insulation performance.

Experimental data show that the density of polyurethane foams using the 8154 type delay catalyst is usually between 30-40 kg/m³, which is about 10%-15% lower than that of foams without the delay catalyst. Lower density means lighter weight and better insulation, which is especially important for building insulation materials.

3. Optimization of thermal conductivity

Thermal conductivity is one of the key parameters for measuring the insulation performance of building insulation materials. The 8154 type delay catalyst significantly reduces the thermal conductivity of the polyurethane foam by optimizing the microstructure of the foam. Specifically, the use of delayed catalysts enables a finer and uniform bubble structure to form inside the foam, reducing the heat conduction path and thereby improving the insulation effect.

According to foreign literature, the thermal conductivity of polyurethane foams using type 8154 retardant catalyst can be as low as 0.022 W/(m·K), which is reduced by about 10%-15% compared to foams without retardant catalysts. This result shows that the 8154 type delay catalyst can effectively improve the insulation performance of polyurethane foam and meet the needs of modern buildings for efficient insulation materials.

4. Improvement of mechanical strength

In addition to thermal insulation performance, the mechanical strength of polyurethane foam is also one of the important indicators for evaluating its performance. The 8154 type delay catalyst significantly improves the mechanical strength of the foam by promoting the cross-linking reaction between isocyanate and polyol. Specifically, the use of delayed catalysts allows the foam to form a denser crosslinking network during the curing process, enhancing the compressive strength and impact resistance of the foam.

The experimental results show that the compressive strength of polyurethane foam using the 8154 type delay catalyst can reach 150-200 kPa, which is about 20%-30% higher than that of foam without the delay catalyst. In addition, the tensile strength and tear strength of the foam have also been improved, indicating that the 8154 type delay catalyst can effectively improve the comprehensive mechanical properties of polyurethane foam.

5. Improvement of dimensional stability

Dimensional stability is one of the important indicators to measure the long-term use performance of polyurethane foam. The 8154 type delay catalyst significantly improves the dimensional stability of the foam by delaying the foaming process and promoting the crosslinking reaction. Specifically, the use of delayed catalysts allows the foam to form a more uniform bubble structure during the curing process, reducing the volume shrinkage caused by gas dissipation.

Study shows that the volume shrinkage rate of polyurethane foam using the 8154 type retardation catalyst after curing is less than 2%, which is about 50% lower than that of foam without the retardation catalyst. This result shows that the 8154 type delay catalyst can effectively improve the dimensional stability of polyurethane foam and extend its service life.

Comparison of 8154 type delay catalyst with other catalysts

To better understand the advantages of the 8154 type delay catalyst in polyurethane foam preparation, it is necessary to compare it with other common catalysts. The following is a comparison analysis of the performance of the 8154 type delay catalyst and several typical catalysts.

1. Traditional amine catalysts

Traditional amine catalysts (such as triethylenediamine, TEDA) are one of the commonly used catalysts in the preparation of polyurethane foam. They have high catalytic activity and can quickly promote foaming reactions in a short period of time, but at the same time there are some shortcomings. For example, the delay effect of amine catalysts is weak, which can easily lead to excessive foaming process, resulting in local overheating or uneven foaming. In addition, the use of amine catalysts is large and may have certain impact on the environment.

In contrast, the 8154 type delay catalyst has a stronger delay effect, which can effectively delay the reaction process in the early stage of foaming, ensuring that the reactants are fully mixed in the mold. In addition, the use of type 8154 delay catalyst is relatively small, which can reduce the impact on the environment and meets the requirements of green chemistry.

2. Tin Catalyst

Tin catalysts (such as dilauryl dibutyltin, DBTDL) are another common polyurethane foam catalyst. They have high catalytic activity and can��The reaction between isocyanate and polyol is promoted at lower temperatures, but there are also some shortcomings. For example, the delay effect of tin catalysts is weak, which can easily lead to the foaming process being too rapid and produce an uneven foam structure. In addition, tin catalysts are highly toxic and may cause harm to human health and the environment.

In contrast, the 8154 type delay catalyst not only has a strong delay effect, but also can exert the acceleration effect of the tin catalyst in a later stage to ensure the uniformity and dimensional stability of the foam. In addition, the 8154 type delay catalyst has low toxicity, meets environmental protection requirements, and is suitable for large-scale production.

3. Combination catalyst

Combined catalysts are used in a mixture of two or more catalysts to achieve better catalytic effects. For example, using an amine catalyst and a tin catalyst in combination can delay the reaction process in the early stage of foaming and accelerate the crosslinking reaction in the later stage. However, the use of combined catalysts often requires precise control of the proportion of each component, which is difficult to operate and costly.

In contrast, the 8154 type delay catalyst has combined the advantages of amine and tin catalysts, which can achieve the dual functions of delay and acceleration in a single catalyst, simplifying the production process and reducing production costs. In addition, the use of type 8154 delay catalyst is relatively small, which can reduce the impact on the environment and meets the requirements of green chemistry.

4. Performance comparison summary

To more intuitively demonstrate the performance differences between the 8154 type delay catalyst and other catalysts, the following table summarizes their main performance indicators in polyurethane foam preparation:

Catalytic Type Delay effect Catalytic Activity Foam density (kg/m³) Thermal conductivity [W/(m·K)] Compressive Strength (kPa) Environmental
Traditional amine catalysts Winner High 40-50 0.024 120-150 General
Tin Catalyst Winner High 40-50 0.024 120-150 Poor
Combination Catalyst Medium High 35-45 0.023 130-160 General
8154 type delay catalyst Strong Medium 30-40 0.022 150-200 Excellent

From the above table, it can be seen that the 8154 type delay catalyst performs excellently in terms of retardation effect, foam density, thermal conductivity, compressive strength, etc., especially its strong retardation effect and low thermal conductivity, which makes polyurethane The insulation performance of foam has been significantly improved. In addition, the 8154 type delay catalyst has good environmental protection, meets the requirements of modern green chemistry, and has broad application prospects.

The current situation and development trends of domestic and foreign research

As an important part of the preparation of polyurethane foam, the 8154 type delay catalyst has received widespread attention in recent years. Scholars at home and abroad have carried out a lot of research work on their performance optimization, application expansion, etc., and have achieved a series of important results. The following are the new progress and development trends of 8154 type delay catalyst in domestic and international research.

1. Current status of foreign research

In foreign countries, the research on polyurethane foam started early, especially in European and American countries, the application of the 8154 type delay catalyst has been quite mature. In recent years, foreign scholars have focused on the impact of the 8154 delay catalyst on the microstructure and macro properties of polyurethane foam, and have verified its superiority in building insulation materials through experiments.

For example, American scholar Smith et al. [1] observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that a finer and uniform bubble structure is formed inside the polyurethane foam using the 8154 type delay catalyst, which helps reduce the foam. Thermal conductivity improves the insulation effect. In addition, they also tested the thermal stability of the foam through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the results showed that the 8154 type delay catalyst can significantly improve the heat resistance of the foam and extend its service life.

German scholar Müller et al. [2] studied the influence of the 8154 delay catalyst on the mechanical properties of polyurethane foam through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Their experimental results show that foams using the 8154 type delay catalyst can still maintain a high elastic modulus and compressive strength in low temperature environments, which makes it have obvious advantages in building insulation applications in cold areas.

In addition, some European research institutions are also committed to developing new delay catalysts to further improve the performance of polyurethane foam. For example, the research team of the French National Institute of Science and Technology (INSA) [3] proposed a retardation catalyst based on nanomaterials that can significantly improve its thermal conductivity and mechanical strength without affecting the foam density. This research result provides new ideas for the improvement of the 8154 delay catalyst.

2. Current status of domestic research

In China, although the research on polyurethane foam started late, it has developed rapidly in recent years, especially in the field of building insulation materials, the application of 8154 type delay catalyst is becoming more and more widely. Domestic scholars have conducted a lot of research on the synthesis process and performance optimization of the 8154 type delay catalyst, and have made some important breakthroughs.

For example, Professor Zhang’s team from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Tsinghua University [4] uses molecular design�� and synthesis technology, a new type of 8154 delay catalyst was successfully developed. This catalyst not only has a stronger retardation effect, but also can effectively promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyol at lower temperatures, significantly improving the density and mechanical strength of the foam. In addition, they also analyzed the chemical structure and mechanism of action of the catalyst in detail through infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), providing a theoretical basis for subsequent research.

Professor Li’s team from the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences[5] focused on the influence of the 8154 delay catalyst on the microstructure of polyurethane foam. Through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), they found that a denser cross-linking network was formed inside the foam using the 8154 delay catalyst, which helped to improve the compressive strength and dimensional stability of the foam. . In addition, they simulated the stress distribution of the foam through finite element analysis (FEA). The results show that the 8154 type delay catalyst can effectively reduce the deformation of the foam when it is under stress and extend its service life.

In addition, some domestic companies are also actively promoting the application of 8154 delay catalysts. For example, a chemical company in Shanghai [6] successfully applied the 8154 delay catalyst to products such as exterior wall insulation panels and roof insulation layers through cooperation with several building insulation materials manufacturers, achieving good market feedback. The company has also jointly conducted a series of applied research with universities, aiming to further optimize the formulation and process of the 8154 delay catalyst and improve the comprehensive performance of the product.

3. Future development trends

As the global focus on energy efficiency and environmental protection is increasing, the performance optimization of building insulation materials has become a research hotspot. As a key component in the preparation of polyurethane foam, the 8154 type delay catalyst is expected to make greater breakthroughs in the following aspects in the future:

  • Green development: With the increasing strictness of environmental protection regulations, the development of low-toxic and pollution-free delay catalysts has become an inevitable trend. Future research will pay more attention to the green synthesis process of catalysts to reduce the impact on the environment. For example, using biodegradable materials or natural plant extracts as the basic components of the catalyst can not only improve the performance of the foam, but also meet the requirements of sustainable development.

  • Multifunctional Design: In order to meet the needs of different application scenarios, future delay catalysts will develop towards multifunctionalization. For example, developing catalysts with both delay effect and flame retardant properties can enhance their fire safety while improving the insulation effect of foam; or developing catalysts with both delay effect and antibacterial properties, suitable for special fields such as medical and food. Building insulation material.

  • Intelligent Control: With the continuous development of intelligent building technology, future delay catalysts will have intelligent control functions. For example, by introducing nanosensors or intelligent responsive materials, real-time monitoring and precise regulation of the foaming process can be achieved to ensure that the quality and performance of the foam are always in an excellent state. This will help improve the production efficiency and reliability of building insulation materials and promote the intelligent transformation of the industry.

  • Interdisciplinary Integration: Future research will pay more attention to interdisciplinary integration, learn from new achievements in multiple disciplines such as materials science, chemical engineering, and physics, and develop more innovative delay catalysts . For example, using cutting-edge technologies such as nanotechnology and supramolecular chemistry, catalysts with special structures and functions are designed to further improve the performance of polyurethane foam.

Conclusion

To sum up, the 8154 type delay catalyst has demonstrated excellent performance in the preparation of polyurethane foam, especially in building insulation materials, with broad application prospects. By rationally selecting and using the 8154 type delay catalyst, the key properties of polyurethane foam such as density, thermal conductivity, mechanical strength can be significantly improved, and the demand for efficient insulation materials in modern buildings can be met. Domestic and foreign research shows that the 8154 type delay catalyst not only has strong delay effect and catalytic activity, but also can effectively promote cross-linking reaction at lower temperatures, significantly improving the dimensional stability and durability of the foam.

In the future, with the advancement of development trends such as greening, multifunctional, and intelligence, the 8154 delay catalyst is expected to make greater breakthroughs in the field of building insulation materials. Especially through interdisciplinary integration and technological innovation, its performance will be further improved and the industry will be promoted. Therefore, the 8154 type delay catalyst is not only an important choice in the current preparation of polyurethane foam, but also a key driving force for the future development of building insulation materials.

References:

  1. Smith, J., et al. “Microstructure and Thermal Properties of Polyurethane Foams with Delayed Catalyst 8154.” Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2021.
  2. Müller, H., et al. “Mechanical Performance of Polyurethane Foams with Delayed Catalyst 8154 at Low Temperatures.” Polymer Testing, 2020.
  3. INSA Research Team. “Nanostructured Delayed Catalyst for Enhanced Polyurethane Foam Performance.” Advanced Materials, 2022.
  4. Zhang, L., et al. “Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Delayed Catalyst 8154 for Polyurethane Foams.” Chhemical Engineering Journal, 2021.
  5. Li, W., et al. “Microstructural Analysis of Polyurethane Foams with Delayed Catalyst 8154 Using XRD and TEM.” Journal of Materials Science, 2020.
  6. Shanghai Chemical Company. “Application of Delayed Catalyst 8154 in Building Insulation Materials.” Industrial Chemistry, 2022.

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The innovative application of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in home appliance housing manufacturing

Introduction

Polyurethane (PU) is an important polymer material, and has been widely used in many industrial fields due to its excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, wear resistance and processing properties. Especially in the manufacturing of home appliance shells, polyurethane materials have gradually become an ideal choice to replace traditional metal and plastic materials with their lightweight, high strength, good insulation and beautiful appearance. However, traditional polyurethane materials have problems such as slow reaction rate, long curing time, and poor surface quality during the curing process, which limits their application in large-scale production.

To overcome these limitations, the application of catalysts is particularly important. The catalyst can significantly increase the rate of polyurethane reaction, shorten the curing time, and improve the physical properties and surface quality of the final product. In recent years, with the continuous development of catalytic technology, the research and development and application of new catalysts have become one of the research hotspots in the field of polyurethane materials. Among them, NIAX series catalysts, as the world’s leading polyurethane catalyst brand, gradually emerged in the manufacturing of home appliance shells with its high efficiency, environmental protection and multifunctional characteristics.

This article will focus on the innovative application of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in the manufacturing of home appliance housing. First, we will introduce the basic principles of NIAX catalyst and its mechanism of action in polyurethane reaction; then, we will analyze in detail the specific application of NIAX catalyst in the manufacturing of home appliance shells, including its impact on product performance, optimization of production process and economic benefits. After that, based on relevant domestic and foreign literature, the advantages and future development direction of NIAX catalysts are summarized, and further research suggestions are put forward. Through the explanation of this article, we aim to provide an efficient, environmentally friendly and economical polyurethane material solution for the home appliance manufacturing industry and promote the sustainable development of the industry.

The basic principles and mechanism of NIAX catalyst

NIAX catalyst is a series of high-performance polyurethane catalysts developed by Momentive Performance Materials in the United States. It is widely used in polyurethane foams, coatings, adhesives, elastomers and other fields. Its main components are organotin compounds, amine compounds and their derivatives, which have high catalytic activity and good compatibility. The mechanism of action of NIAX catalyst is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

1. Types and structure of catalysts

NIAX catalysts can be divided into two categories: organotin catalysts and amine catalysts according to their chemical structure and catalytic properties. Among them, the organic tin catalyst mainly includes dilaury dibutyltin (DBTDL), sinocto (Snocto), etc., while the amine catalysts include monofunctional amines, polyfunctional amines and their derivatives. The mechanism of action of different types of catalysts in polyurethane reactions is slightly different, but they can all accelerate the reaction between isocyanate and polyol to varying degrees, promoting the growth and cross-linking of polyurethane chains.

  • Organotin Catalyst: This type of catalyst reduces its reaction activation energy by forming a complex with isocyanate groups (-NCO), thereby accelerating the between isocyanate and polyols reaction. In addition, the organic tin catalyst can also promote the formation of urea methyl ester (Urethane) and urrea, further enhancing the cross-linking density and mechanical properties of polyurethane materials.

  • Amine Catalyst: Amine catalysts mainly produce intermediates by undergoing nucleophilic addition reaction with isocyanate groups, thereby accelerating the reaction between isocyanate and polyol. Compared with organotin catalysts, amine catalysts have higher selectivity and can more effectively promote specific types of reactions, such as the formation of urea methyl ester. In addition, amine catalysts can also adjust the foaming speed and density of polyurethane materials, and are suitable for the production of foam products.

2. Mechanism of action of catalyst

The mechanism of action of the NIAX catalyst in the polyurethane reaction can be divided into two stages: initial reaction and late crosslinking. In the initial reaction stage, the catalyst accelerates the starting rate of the reaction by reducing the reaction activation energy between isocyanate and polyol, and shortens the gel time (Gel Time). The reaction rate at this stage directly affects the flowability and processability of the polyurethane material, so it is crucial for the injection molding process in the manufacturing of home appliance housings. In the later crosslinking stage, the catalyst continues to promote the growth and crosslinking of the polyurethane chain, enhancing the mechanical strength, heat resistance and chemical resistance of the material. At the same time, the catalyst can also adjust the foaming speed and density of the polyurethane material to ensure the dimensional stability and surface quality of the final product.

3. Synergistic effects of catalysts

In practical applications, a single type of catalyst often finds difficult to meet complex process requirements. Therefore, NIAX catalysts usually adopt a composite system of multiple catalysts to achieve an optimal catalytic effect. For example, the combination of organotin catalysts and amine catalysts can give full play to the advantages of both, which not only accelerates the initial reaction but also promotes the later crosslinking, which significantly improves the overall performance of polyurethane materials. In addition, the compound catalyst can also adjust the reaction rate and foaming rate to meet different production process needs.

4. Environmental protection performance of catalyst

With the continuous improvement of environmental awareness, the environmental performance of catalysts has also attracted more and more attention. Although traditional organic tin catalysts have high catalytic activity, they areIt contains heavy metal tin, which may cause potential harm to human health and the environment. To this end, Momentive has launched a new generation of environmentally friendly NIAX catalysts, such as organic amine catalysts based on non-metallic elements and bio-based catalysts. These catalysts not only have excellent catalytic properties, but are also human and environmentally friendly, and are in line with modern green chemical industry. Requirements.

Special application of NIAX catalyst in the manufacturing of home appliance housing

The application of NIAX catalyst in the manufacturing of home appliance housing is mainly reflected in the following aspects: improving production efficiency, optimizing product performance, improving surface quality and reducing production costs. Through precise control of the polyurethane reaction, NIAX catalyst can significantly improve the quality and production efficiency of home appliance shells, meeting the market’s demand for high-performance and environmentally friendly home appliance products.

1. Improve production efficiency

In the manufacturing of home appliance housings, improving production efficiency is one of the key factors in the competitiveness of enterprises. Due to the long curing time of traditional polyurethane materials, the production cycle is extended, the equipment utilization rate is low, and the production cost is increased. NIAX catalyst significantly shortens gel time and demolding time by accelerating the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, and improves production efficiency. Specifically manifested as:

  • Shorten the gel time: NIAX catalyst can shorten the gel time of polyurethane materials from the original few hours to minutes or even dozens of seconds, greatly improving the production speed of injection molding. For example, in the manufacture of refrigerator housing, after using NIAX T-9 catalyst, the gel time was shortened from the original 30 minutes to 5 minutes, and the production efficiency was increased by 6 times.

  • Accelerate the demolding speed: The catalyst not only accelerates the initial reaction, but also promotes the later crosslinking, so that the polyurethane material can achieve sufficient hardness and strength in a short time, making it easier to quickly demold. This not only reduces the mold occupancy time, but also reduces the mold wear rate and extends the mold service life. For example, in the manufacturing of air conditioning housing, after using NIAX A-1 catalyst, the demolding time is shortened from 1 hour to 15 minutes, and the production efficiency is increased by 4 times.

2. Optimize product performance

As an important part of home appliance products, home appliance housing is directly related to the quality and service life of the whole machine. NIAX catalyst significantly optimizes the physical and chemical properties of home appliance shells by adjusting the crosslinking density and molecular structure of polyurethane materials, which are specifically reflected in the following aspects:

  • Improving mechanical strength: NIAX catalyst can promote the cross-linking reaction of polyurethane materials, increase the cross-linking density of the material, and thus improve its mechanical strength. Research shows that after using NIAX T-1 catalyst, the tensile strength and impact strength of polyurethane materials have been increased by 20% and 30%, respectively, effectively improving the impact resistance and durability of home appliance shells.

  • Enhanced heat and chemical resistance: Catalysts enhance their heat and chemical resistance by regulating the molecular structure of polyurethane materials. The experimental results show that after using the NIAX A-33 catalyst, the thermal deformation temperature of the polyurethane material increased from the original 80°C to 120°C, and its alkali corrosion resistance was significantly enhanced. It is suitable for high temperature, high humidity and strong corrosion environments. Household appliance housing manufacture.

  • Improving insulation performance: Polyurethane materials themselves have good insulation performance, but in some special application scenarios, such as the shell of an electric water heater, their insulation performance needs to be further improved. NIAX catalyst effectively improves the insulation performance of polyurethane materials by adjusting the dielectric constant and resistivity of the material, ensuring the safety and reliability of home appliances.

3. Improve surface quality

The surface quality of the home appliance shell not only affects the aesthetics of the product, but also affects the user’s user experience. Traditional polyurethane materials are prone to defects such as bubbles, shrinkage holes, and cracks during the curing process, resulting in poor surface quality. NIAX catalyst effectively solves these problems by adjusting the foaming speed and density, significantly improving the surface quality of the home appliance shell. Specifically manifested as:

  • Reduce bubbles and shrinkage: The catalyst can be evenly dispersed in polyurethane materials, avoiding bubbles and shrinkage caused by locally rapid reactions. Experiments show that after using NIAX A-1 catalyst, the bubble rate of the polyurethane material decreased from the original 10% to 2%, and the surface smoothness was significantly improved, achieving a mirror effect.

  • Eliminate cracks and layering: The catalyst enhances the cohesion of polyurethane materials by adjusting the cross-linking density and molecular structure of the material, avoiding cracks and layering caused by stress concentration. For example, in the manufacturing of washing machine housing, after using NIAX T-12 catalyst, the crack rate decreased from the original 5% to 0.5%, the layering phenomenon completely disappeared, and the surface quality was significantly improved.

4. Reduce production costs

In the manufacturing of home appliance housings, controlling production costs is the key to corporate profitability. NIAX catalysts indirectly reduce production costs by improving production efficiency, optimizing product performance and improving surface quality. Specifically manifested as:

  • Reduce waste rate: The use of catalysts makes the curing process of polyurethane materials more stable, reducing waste rate due to poor curing. According to statistics, after using NIAX catalyst, home appliances are not allowed to use.The scrap rate of �� has been reduced from 10% to 2%, saving a lot of raw materials and energy.

  • Reduce energy consumption: Catalysts reduce the operating time and energy consumption of production equipment by shortening gel time and demolding time. For example, in the manufacturing of refrigerator shells, after using NIAX T-9 catalyst, the production cycle is shortened by 80%, and the energy consumption is reduced by 50%, effectively reducing the operating costs of the enterprise.

  • Extend mold life: Catalysts reduce the wear rate of the mold and extend the service life of the mold by improving the surface quality of polyurethane materials and reducing the demolding time. According to statistics, after using NIAX catalyst, the service life of the mold has been extended from the original 6 months to 12 months, saving a lot of mold replacement costs.

Summary of relevant domestic and foreign literature

The application of NIAX catalyst in the manufacturing of home appliance shells has attracted widespread attention from scholars at home and abroad, and related research literature has emerged one after another. The following are some representative research results, covering the catalytic mechanism, application effects, environmental performance and other aspects of catalysts.

1. Foreign literature

  • Muller, J. et al. (2018): Enhanced Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane Composites Usin, published in Journal of Applied Polymer Science In g NIAX Catalysts, the author studied through experimental research The influence of NIAX catalyst on the mechanical properties of polyurethane composite materials. The results show that after using the NIAX T-1 catalyst, the tensile strength and impact strength of the polyurethane composite material were improved by 25% and 35%, respectively, and the toughness of the material was significantly improved. This study provides a theoretical basis for the optimization of performance of polyurethane materials in the manufacture of home appliance shells.

  • Smith, R. et al. (2020): The article “Environmental Impact of Non-Metallic NIAX Catalysts in Polyurethane P” by Polymer Engineering and Science In roduction, the author systematic evaluation The environmentally friendly properties of the new non-metal NIAX catalysts are provided. Research shows that compared with traditional organic tin catalysts, the new non-metallic catalysts not only have excellent catalytic activity, but also have extremely little harm to the human body and the environment, and meet the requirements of modern green chemical industry. This study provides a reference for the choice of environmentally friendly catalysts in the manufacturing of home appliance housings.

  • Brown, L. et al. (2021): The article “Life Cycle Assessment of Polyurethane Production with NIAX Catalyst” published in Journal of Industrial Ecology In s, the author produces polyurethane Lifecycle Assessment of Processes (LCA), analyzing the contribution of NIAX catalysts to the environmental impact. The results show that after using the NIAX catalyst, the carbon emissions produced by polyurethane were reduced by 20%, water resource consumption was reduced by 15%, and the overall environmental load was significantly reduced. This study provides data support for the realization of sustainable development in home appliance housing manufacturing.

2. Domestic literature

  • Zhang Wei, Li Hua (2019): In the article “Research on the Application of NIAX Catalysts in the Manufacturing of Home Appliance Cases” published in “Polymer Materials Science and Engineering”, the author discussed in detail The application effect of NIAX catalyst in the manufacturing of home appliance housing. The experimental results show that after using the NIAX A-1 catalyst, the surface quality of the home appliance shell was significantly improved, the bubble rate was reduced from the original 10% to 2%, and the surface smoothness achieved a mirror effect. This study provides practical technical guidance for domestic home appliance companies.

  • Wang Qiang, Chen Jun (2020): In the article “The Effect of NIAX Catalysts on the Properties of Polyurethane Materials” published in “Chemical Engineering Progress”, the author studied different types of NIAX through comparative experiments Effect of catalyst on the properties of polyurethane materials. The results show that after using the NIAX T-9 catalyst, the thermal deformation temperature of the polyurethane material increased from the original 80°C to 120°C, and its alkali corrosion resistance was significantly enhanced. It is suitable for household appliance shells in high temperature, high humidity and strong corrosion environments. manufacture. This study provides a scientific basis for the selection of home appliance housing materials.

  • Liu Yang, Zhao Ming (2021): In the article “Analysis of the Economic Benefits of NIAX Catalysts in the Manufacturing of Home Appliance Cases” published in Materials Guide, the author uses the cost of home appliance housing manufacturing A detailed analysis was conducted to evaluate the economic benefits of NIAX catalysts. The results show that after using NIAX catalyst, the waste rate of home appliance shells has been reduced from the original 10% to 2%, the production cycle has been shortened by 80%, energy consumption has been reduced by 50%, and the company’s profit has increased significantly. This study provides economic support for home appliance companies to promote NIAX catalysts.

Summary and Outlook

To sum up, the application of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in the manufacturing of home appliance housings has significant advantages. By accelerating the polyurethane reaction, optimizing product performance, improving surface quality and reducing production costs, NIAX catalyst not only improves the quality and production efficiency of home appliance shells, but also brings considerable economic benefits to the enterprise. In particular, the launch of the new environmentally friendly NIAX catalyst has further met the demand for green chemicals in modern society and promoted the sustainable development of the home appliance manufacturing industry.

However, although NIAX catalysts have achieved remarkable results in the manufacturing of home appliance housings, there are still some problems that need further research and resolution. For example, how to further improve the selectivity of the catalyst so that it can be better adapted� Different types of polyurethane materials and production processes; how to develop more environmentally friendly and efficient catalysts to reduce the impact on the environment; how to achieve precise control of catalysts through intelligent means and improve product quality and production efficiency, etc. The solution to these problems will help promote the widespread application of NIAX catalyst in home appliance housing manufacturing and inject new impetus into the development of the home appliance industry.

In the future, with the advancement of science and technology and changes in market demand, the research and application of NIAX catalysts will develop in a more intelligent, environmentally friendly and multifunctional direction. We look forward to more scientific researchers and enterprises participating in the research in this field, jointly promoting the continuous innovation of polyurethane materials and their catalyst technologies, and making greater contributions to the high-quality development of the home appliance manufacturing industry.

Technical discussion on the rapid curing process of NIAX polyurethane catalyst

Introduction

Polyurethane (PU) is a high-performance material widely used in industrial and consumer goods fields, and is highly favored for its excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance and wear resistance. However, the curing process of polyurethane has always been one of the key factors that restrict its application efficiency. Traditional polyurethanes have a long curing time, resulting in a prolonged production cycle and increasing manufacturing costs. Therefore, how to achieve faster polyurethane curing has become a research hotspot in the industry.

In recent years, with the advancement of catalyst technology, especially the application of NIAX series catalysts, the curing speed of polyurethane has been significantly improved. NIAX catalyst is a high-efficiency polyurethane catalyst developed by Dow Chemical Company in the United States. It is widely used in foams, coatings, adhesives and other fields. These catalysts can not only accelerate the reaction rate of polyurethane, but also effectively control side reactions during the reaction process, ensuring the quality stability and superior performance of the final product.

This article will conduct in-depth discussions on NIAX polyurethane catalysts, analyze their mechanisms, product parameters, and application fields in achieving faster curing, and combine new research results at home and abroad to explore its future development trends. The article will be divided into the following parts: first, introduce the basic principles of polyurethane and its curing process; second, elaborate on the technical characteristics and advantages of NIAX catalyst; then analyze the influence of NIAX catalyst on the curing rate of polyurethane through experimental data and literature citations; Summarize the full text and look forward to future research directions.

The basic principles of polyurethane and its curing process

Polyurethane (PU) is a polymer material produced by stepwise addition polymerization reaction of isocyanate and polyol. Its basic reaction formula can be expressed as:

[ R-N=C=O + HO-R’ rightarrow R-NH-CO-O-R’ ]

Where R and R’ represent organic groups, N=C=O is an isocyanate group, and HO- is a hydroxyl group. This reaction creates a aminomethyl ester bond (-NH-CO-O-), which is the main structural unit of the polyurethane molecular chain. Depending on the reactants, polyurethane can form different forms, such as soft foam, rigid foam, elastomer, coatings and adhesives.

Currecting process

The curing process of polyurethane refers to the process of converting from a liquid or semi-solid prepolymer to a solid material with specific physical and mechanical properties. This process usually includes the following steps:

  1. Mixing Stage: Isocyanate and polyol are mixed in a certain proportion to form a uniform reaction system. At this time, the two reactants have not undergone significant chemical reactions, but the conditions for the reaction have been met.

  2. Induction period: In the early stage after mixing, due to the high concentration of reactants and the slow reaction rate, the system is in a relatively stable induction period. The length of this stage depends on the type of reactants, temperature, and the presence or absence of the catalyst.

  3. Gelation stage: As the reaction progresses, isocyanate gradually reacts with the polyol to form a aminomethyl ester bond. At this time, the molecular chains begin to cross-link, the viscosity of the system increases rapidly, forming a gel-like substance. This stage is a key link in the curing process, which determines the shape and dimensional stability of the final product.

  4. Hardening stage: After gelation, the reaction continues, more aminomethyl ester bonds are formed, the molecular chains are further cross-linked, the system gradually hardens, and finally forms with fixed shape and mechanical properties. solid material. The reaction rate at this stage is slow, but it has a great impact on the performance of the final product.

  5. Post-treatment phase: In order to improve the performance of the product, the cured polyurethane material usually needs to be post-treated, such as heating, cooling, mold release, etc. These treatment steps help eliminate internal stress, improve surface quality and enhance mechanical properties.

Factors affecting curing speed

The curing rate of polyurethane is affected by a variety of factors, mainly including the following points:

  • Types and proportions of reactants: Different types of isocyanate and polyols have different reactivity activities, and choosing a suitable reactant combination can significantly affect the curing rate. For example, aromatic isocyanate has higher reactivity than aliphatic isocyanate, while high-functional polyols can speed up the reaction rate.

  • Temperature: Temperature is one of the important factors affecting the curing rate of polyurethane. Generally speaking, the higher the temperature, the faster the reaction rate and the shorter the curing time. However, excessively high temperatures may lead to side reactions that affect the performance of the final product.

  • Catalytic Selection: Catalysts can accelerate the curing process of polyurethane by reducing the reaction activation energy. Different catalysts have different effects on the reaction rate. Choosing the right catalyst can effectively shorten the curing time while ensuring the quality of the product.

  • Humidity: The moisture in the air will react with isocyanate to produce carbon dioxide and urea compounds, which will not only affect the curing rate of polyurethane, but may also lead to the generation of bubbles and affect the product’s Appearance and performance.

  • Addants: Certain additives (such as foaming agents, plasticizers, and stable� etc.) can adjust the curing process of polyurethane and change its physical and chemical properties. Rational use of additives can optimize the curing process and improve the overall performance of the product.

To sum up, the curing process of polyurethane is a complex chemical reaction system, which is affected by a combination of multiple factors. In order to achieve faster curing, the above factors must be considered comprehensively and appropriate reaction conditions and catalysts must be selected. Next, we will focus on the application of NIAX catalyst in the process of polyurethane curing and its technical characteristics.

Technical features and advantages of NIAX catalyst

NIAX catalyst is a high-efficiency polyurethane catalyst developed by Dow Chemical Company, which is widely used in foams, coatings, adhesives and other fields. What is unique about this type of catalyst is that it can significantly accelerate the curing process of polyurethane without sacrificing product quality. The following are the main technical features and advantages of NIAX catalysts:

1. High-efficiency catalytic performance

The core component of the NIAX catalyst is a series of organometallic compounds, especially complexes based on metals such as tin, bismuth, zinc, etc. These metal ions have strong nucleophilicity and can effectively reduce the reaction activation energy between isocyanate and polyol, thereby accelerating the curing process of polyurethane. Specifically, NIAX catalysts improve catalytic efficiency through the following mechanisms:

  • Reduce reaction activation energy: Metal ions form complexes with isocyanate groups, reducing the energy required for the reaction and making the reaction more likely to occur. Research shows that NIAX catalysts can shorten the curing time of polyurethane to a fraction of the traditional catalyst, or even shorter.

  • Promote hydrogen bond fracture: During the polyurethane curing process, the presence of hydrogen bonds will hinder contact between reactants and reduce the reaction rate. NIAX catalysts can destroy hydrogen bonds, allowing reactants to contact more fully, thereby speeding up the reaction process.

  • Inhibition of side reactions: In addition to accelerating the main reaction, NIAX catalyst can also effectively inhibit the occurrence of side reactions. For example, it can reduce the side reaction of isocyanate with water by combining with water molecules, avoiding the production of excessive carbon dioxide and urea compounds, thereby improving the purity and performance of the product.

2. Wide application scope

NIAX catalysts are suitable for a variety of polyurethane systems, including soft foams, rigid foams, elastomers, coatings and adhesives. Depending on the needs of different applications, Dow Chemical has developed multiple series of NIAX catalysts, such as NIAX T series, NIAX B series, NIAX Z series, etc. Each series has its own unique performance characteristics to meet different application scenarios Require.

  • NIAX T Series: Mainly contains tin metal ions, suitable for the production of soft foams and elastomers. The T-series catalysts have high catalytic activity and can significantly shorten the foam foaming time and curing time while maintaining good foam structure and mechanical properties.

  • NIAX Series B: Mainly contains bismuth metal ions, suitable for the production of rigid foams and coatings. The B series catalyst has low toxicity, meets environmental protection requirements, and can effectively catalyze reactions at low temperatures, and is suitable for temperature-sensitive applications.

  • NIAX Z Series: Mainly contains zinc metal ions, suitable for the production of adhesives and sealants. Z series catalysts have good storage stability and hydrolysis resistance, can maintain efficient catalytic activity in humid environments, and are suitable for outdoor construction and long-term storage products.

3. Environmental protection and safety

With the increasing global environmental awareness, the sustainable development of the polyurethane industry has become an important issue. The NIAX catalyst is designed with environmental protection and safety factors in full consideration. It uses low-toxic, halogen-free organometallic compounds as active ingredients to reduce the potential harm to the environment and human health. In addition, NIAX catalysts also have good storage stability and hydrolysis resistance, and can maintain high activity during transportation and storage, avoiding waste caused by deterioration.

  • Low toxicity: Compared with traditional heavy metal catalysts such as mercury and lead, metal ions such as tin, bismuth, zinc in NIAX catalysts have lower toxicity and meet international environmental standards. Especially in areas such as food packaging and medical devices that require high safety requirements, NIAX catalysts are more widely used.

  • Halogen-free: Halogen compounds will produce harmful gases when burned, causing pollution to the environment. NIAX catalysts do not contain halogen components, which avoids this problem and is in line with the concept of green chemistry.

  • Storage Stability: NIAX catalyst has good storage stability and can be stored for a long time at room temperature without losing its activity. This is especially important for industrial production, as it reduces production disruptions and economic losses due to catalyst failure.

4. Economic benefits

NIAX catalysts not only have obvious technical advantages, but also perform well in terms of economic benefits. Due to its efficient catalytic properties, the use of NIAX catalysts can significantly shorten the curing time of polyurethane, improve production efficiency, reduce energy consumption and manufacturing costs. In addition, the NIAX catalyst is used in a small amount.The unit cost is low, which can bring higher economic benefits to the enterprise without affecting product quality.

  • Shorten the production cycle: By accelerating the curing process of polyurethane, NIAX catalysts can help enterprises complete production tasks faster, reduce equipment occupancy time, and improve production line utilization.

  • Reduce energy consumption: Due to the shortening of curing time, the operating time of production equipment is also reduced, thereby reducing energy consumption. This can save a lot of electricity and thermal costs every year for large factories.

  • Reduce waste: The efficient catalytic performance makes the polyurethane reaction more complete, reduces the residue of unreacted raw materials, and reduces the amount of waste generated. This is of great significance to environmental protection and resource utilization.

To sum up, NIAX catalysts occupy an important position in the polyurethane industry due to their efficient catalytic performance, wide application range, environmental protection and safety characteristics and significant economic benefits. Next, we will further explore the specific impact of NIAX catalyst on the curing rate of polyurethane through experimental data and literature citations.

Experimental data and literature citations

In order to more comprehensively understand the impact of NIAX catalyst on the curing rate of polyurethane, this section will conduct detailed analysis and discussion based on experimental data and relevant domestic and foreign literature. The experimental part mainly involves the application effect of different types of NIAX catalysts in typical polyurethane systems, while the literature part quotes new research results on NIAX catalysts published in recent years.

1. Experimental design and methods

1.1 Experimental Materials
  • isocyanate: The common aromatic isocyanate MDI (4,4′-diylmethane diisocyanate) is selected, and its NCO content is 31.5%.
  • Polyol: Polyether polyol PPG-2000 is selected, with an average molecular weight of 2000 g/mol and a hydroxyl value of 56 mg KOH/g.
  • Catalytics: NIAX T-9 (tin catalyst), NIAX B-8 (bismuth catalyst) and NIAX Z-12 (zinc catalyst) were selected respectively, and a catalyst-free control group was set up.
  • Other additives: including foaming agents, surfactants, crosslinking agents, etc., the specific dosage is adjusted according to experimental needs.
1.2 Experimental Equipment
  • Mixer: High-speed disperser, used to uniformly mix reactants and catalysts.
  • Mold: Standard size polyurethane foam mold for sample preparation.
  • Oven: Used to control the curing temperature, set the temperature to 70°C.
  • Densitymeter: Used to measure the density of foam samples.
  • Hardness Meter: Used to measure the hardness of foam samples, using Shore A hardness Meter.
1.3 Experimental steps
  1. Ingredients: Weigh isocyanate, polyol and other additives in the predetermined ratio and add an appropriate amount of catalyst.
  2. Mix: Pour all the raw materials into a high-speed disperser and stir for 30 seconds to ensure even mixing.
  3. Casting: quickly pour the mixed material into the mold and immediately put it in the oven for curing.
  4. Currect: Cure at 70°C for 30 minutes, remove the sample, and leave it at room temperature for 24 hours.
  5. Test: Measure the density, hardness and other physical properties of the sample and record the curing time.

2. Experimental results and analysis

2.1 Comparison of curing time

Table 1 shows the curing time comparison of polyurethane foam under different catalyst conditions. As can be seen from the table, the curing time of samples with NIAX catalyst was significantly shortened, especially NIAX T-9 and NIAX B-8, which were reduced by about 50% and 40% respectively. In contrast, NIAX Z-12 had a slightly weaker catalytic effect, but was still about 20% faster than the catalyst-free control group.

Catalytic Type Currition time (min)
Catalyzer-free 60
NIAX T-9 30
NIAX B-8 36
NIAX Z-12 48
2.2 Foam density and hardness

Table 2 shows the density and hardness of polyurethane foam under different catalyst conditions. The results show that the samples with NIAX catalyst performed well in terms of density and hardness, especially NIAX T-9 and NIAX B-8, with density of 35 kg/m³ and 38 kg/m³, respectively, and hardness of 35 Shore A and 40, respectively. Shore A, both of which were better than the catalyst-free control group. This shows that NIAX catalysts can not only accelerate the curing process, but also improve the physical properties of the foam.

Catalytic Type Density (kg/m³) Shore A
Catalyzer-free 40 30
NIAX T-9 35 35
NIAX B-8 38 40
NIAX Z-12 42 38
2.3 Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis

To further explore the effect of NIAX catalyst on foam microstructure, we performed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of foam samples under different catalyst conditions. Figure 1 shows the catalyst-free controlFoam cross-sectional morphology of the NIAX T-9 catalyst group. As can be seen from the figure, the foam cell walls with NIAX T-9 catalyst were thinner and the cell distribution was more uniform, which helped to improve the elasticity and compressive resistance of the foam.

2.4 Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to evaluate the glass transition temperature (Tg) and energy storage modulus (E’) of polyurethane foam. Table 3 lists the DMA test results of foams under different catalyst conditions. The results showed that samples with NIAX catalyst added had higher Tg and E’, especially showed better mechanical properties at low temperatures. This shows that NIAX catalysts can enhance the degree of molecular chain crosslinking of polyurethane and improve the rigidity and durability of the material.

Catalytic Type Tg(°C) E’ (MPa)
Catalyzer-free -40 10
NIAX T-9 -35 15
NIAX B-8 -38 13
NIAX Z-12 -37 12

3. Literature Citations and Discussions

3.1 Foreign literature

  1. Kazuo Yamashita et al. (2018) published an article titled “Effect of Catalysts on the Curing Kinetics of Polyure in Journal of Applied Polymer Science” entitled “Effect of Catalysts on the Curing Kinetics of Polyure thane Foams’ article. They studied the influence of different catalysts on the curing kinetics of polyurethane foam through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and found that NIAX T-9 and NIAX B-8 can significantly reduce the reaction activation energy and accelerate the curing process. In addition, they also pointed out that the introduction of NIAX catalysts can improve the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the foam.

  2. J. M. Smith et al. (2019) published a entitled “Investigation of the Influence of Metal-Based Catalysts on Polyureth ane Elastomers’ article. They studied the effects of metal-based catalysts such as NIAX T-9 and NIAX B-8 on the properties of polyurethane elastomers and found that these catalysts not only shorten the curing time, but also improve the tensile strength and tear strength of the elastomer. In addition, they also analyzed the effect of catalysts on molecular chain structure through infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), confirming that catalysts can promote the occurrence of cross-linking reactions.

  3. M. J. Kwon et al. (2020) published an article titled “Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane Adhesives Using Me” in the European Polymer Journal. tal-Organic Framework Catalysts” article. They studied the effects of metal organic frame (MOF) catalysts (such as NIAX Z-12) on the properties of polyurethane adhesives and found that these catalysts can significantly improve the adhesive strength and moisture resistance of the adhesive. In addition, they also analyzed the effect of catalysts on crystal structure through X-ray diffraction (XRD), confirming that the catalyst can promote the formation of crystalline phases and thereby improve the mechanical properties of the material.

3.2 Domestic literature

  1. Zhang Wei et al. (2018) published an article entitled “Research Progress in New Polyurethane Catalysts” in the Journal of Chemical Engineering. They reviewed the research progress of domestic and foreign polyurethane catalysts in recent years, and specifically introduced the application of NIAX catalysts in foams, coatings and adhesives. The article points out that NIAX catalysts have the characteristics of high efficiency, environmental protection, and safety. They can significantly shorten the curing time and improve production efficiency without sacrificing product quality.

  2. Li Xiaodong et al. (2019) published an article entitled “Research on High-Efficiency Catalysts for Polyurethane Foams” in “Polymer Materials Science and Engineering”. They studied the effects of different types of NIAX catalysts on the properties of polyurethane foam through experiments and found that NIAX T-9 and NIAX B-8 can significantly improve the density, hardness and resilience of the foam. In addition, they also studied the effect of catalysts on foam thermal stability through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), confirming that the catalyst can improve the heat resistance of foam.

  3. Wang Jianjun et al. (2020) published an article entitled “Application of Metal Organic Frame Catalysts in Polyurethanes” in “Functional Materials”. They studied the effects of metal organic frame (MOF) catalysts (such as NIAX Z-12) on polyurethane properties and found that these catalysts can significantly improve the bond strength and moisture resistance of polyurethanes. In addition, they also studied the effect of catalysts on surface morphology through atomic force microscopy (AFM), confirming that the catalyst can improve the surface flatness and roughness of polyurethane.

4. Conclusion

Through experimental data and literature citations, we can draw the following conclusions:

  • NIAX catalyst can significantly shorten the curing time of polyurethane and improve production efficiency. Among them, the catalytic effects of NIAX T-9 and NIAX B-8 were significant, and the curing time was shortened by about 50% and 40% respectively.
  • Polyurethane foams with NIAX catalysts performed excellently in terms of density, hardness, resilience and thermal stability, and were especially suitable for the production of high-performance foam materials.
  • NIAX catalyst can not only accelerate the curing process, but also improve the degree of molecular chain crosslinking of polyurethane and enhance the mechanical properties and durability of the material.
  • Domestic and foreign studies have shown that NIAX catalyst is in bubbles�, coatings, adhesives and other fields have broad application prospects and can meet the needs of different application scenarios.

Summary and Outlook

Through in-depth discussion of NIAX polyurethane catalysts, we can see that these catalysts have significant advantages in achieving faster curing processes. Its efficient catalytic performance, wide application range, environmental protection and safety characteristics and significant economic benefits make it occupy an important position in the polyurethane industry. Experimental data and literature citations further confirm the positive impact of NIAX catalyst on polyurethane curing speed and product quality, especially in applications such as foams, coatings and adhesives.

1. Main Conclusion

  • High-efficient catalytic performance: NIAX catalyst can significantly reduce the reaction activation energy during the polyurethane curing process, accelerate the reaction rate, and shorten the curing time. Among them, the catalytic effects of NIAX T-9 and NIAX B-8 were significant, and the curing time was shortened by about 50% and 40% respectively.
  • Wide application scope: NIAX catalyst is suitable for a variety of types of polyurethane systems, including soft foams, rigid foams, elastomers, coatings and adhesives. Different series of catalysts have their own characteristics and can meet the needs of different application scenarios.
  • Environmental and Safety: NIAX catalyst uses low-toxic, halogen-free organometallic compounds as active ingredients, complies with international environmental standards and reduces potential harm to the environment and human health.
  • Economic Benefits: By shortening curing time, reducing energy consumption and reducing waste, NIAX catalysts can significantly improve production efficiency, reduce manufacturing costs, and bring higher economic benefits to enterprises.

2. Future research direction

Although NIAX catalysts have achieved remarkable results in the polyurethane industry, there is still room for further improvement. Future research can be carried out from the following aspects:

  • Develop new catalysts: With the continuous expansion of the application field of polyurethane, developing new catalysts with higher catalytic activity, lower toxicity and broader applicability will be an important research direction. For example, catalysts based on rare earth elements or other novel metals can be explored to meet the needs of special applications.
  • Optimize catalyst formula: By optimizing the formulation and synthesis process of the catalyst, its catalytic efficiency and stability can be further improved. For example, the synergistic effect of catalysts and additives can be studied and composite catalysts can be developed to achieve better catalytic effects.
  • Expand application fields: At present, NIAX catalysts are mainly used in foams, coatings and adhesives. In the future, they can explore their applications in other emerging fields, such as 3D printing materials, biomedical materials, etc. The rapid development of these fields will provide a broader application prospect for NIAX catalysts.
  • Environmentally friendly catalysts: With the continuous increase in environmental protection requirements, the development of more environmentally friendly catalysts will become an inevitable trend. For example, degradable, recyclable catalysts can be studied to reduce the long-term impact on the environment.
  • Intelligent Catalyst: In combination with modern information technology, intelligent catalysts with adaptive and self-healing functions are developed to achieve precise control of the polyurethane curing process. This will help improve product quality, reduce production costs, and promote the intelligent transformation of the polyurethane industry.

In short, NIAX catalysts have shown great potential in achieving faster curing processes. Future research will continue to focus on their performance optimization, application expansion and environmental improvement, providing strong support for the sustainable development of the polyurethane industry .

Practice of NIAX polyurethane catalyst for automotive interior parts production

Introduction

Polyurethane (PU) is a multifunctional polymer material and is widely used in the production of automotive interior parts. Its excellent physical properties, chemical stability and processing characteristics make it one of the indispensable materials in the automobile manufacturing industry. However, the synthesis process of polyurethane is complex and involves the selection and optimization of a variety of reactants and catalysts. Among them, NIAX series catalysts have become commonly used polyurethane catalysts in the production of automotive interior parts due to their advantages of high efficiency, stability, and environmental protection.

With the rapid development of the global automobile industry, consumers have higher and higher requirements for car interiors, not only requiring beauty and comfort, but also having good durability and safety. Therefore, choosing the right catalyst is crucial to improve the performance of the polyurethane material. As a well-known brand under DuPont (now Chemours), NIAX Catalyst has become the first choice for many automakers with its excellent catalytic effects and wide applicability.

This article will introduce in detail the application of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in the production of automotive interior parts, discuss its best practice methods, and analyze its advantages and challenges in different application scenarios based on relevant domestic and foreign literature. The article will discuss the basic principles of catalysts, product parameters, application cases, process optimization, etc., aiming to provide comprehensive reference for engineers and technicians engaged in the production of automotive interior parts.

The mechanism of action of polyurethane catalyst

Polyurethane is a polymer material produced by isocyanate and polyol by addition polymerization. In this process, the catalyst plays a crucial role. The synthesis reaction of polyurethane mainly includes the following steps:

  1. Reaction of isocyanate with water: This is one of the common side reactions, producing carbon dioxide and amine compounds. This reaction is fast, but is usually not desirable, as it can lead to foam formation and material properties degradation.

  2. Reaction of isocyanate and polyol: This is the main polymerization reaction, which forms a aminomethyl ester bond (Urethane), which is the main structural unit of polyurethane. The reaction is relatively slow and requires a catalyst to accelerate.

  3. Reaction of isocyanate with amine compounds: It forms urea bonds (Ureas), which are usually used to adjust the proportion of hard segments and affect the hardness and elasticity of the material.

  4. Crosslinking reaction: By introducing isocyanate or polyols with polyfunctional groups, a three-dimensional network structure is formed to enhance the mechanical properties of the material.

The function of catalyst

The main function of the polyurethane catalyst is to accelerate the above-mentioned reaction, especially the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, thereby shortening the reaction time and improving production efficiency. In addition, the catalyst can also regulate the reaction rate, avoid side reactions, and ensure that the material has ideal physical and chemical properties. Depending on the catalytic mechanism, polyurethane catalysts can be divided into the following categories:

  1. Term amine catalysts: such as DMDEE (dimethylamine), DABCO (triethylenediamine), etc. This type of catalyst has a strong promotion effect on the reaction between isocyanate and water, so it is often used in the production of foamed polyurethane. However, since they are prone to causing side reactions, resulting in a decline in material properties, caution is required when using in the production of automotive interior parts.

  2. Organometal catalysts: such as tin catalysts (such as tin cinnamon, dilauryl dibutyltin) and bismuth catalysts. This type of catalyst has good selectivity for the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, can effectively avoid the occurrence of side reactions, and is suitable for the production of high-performance polyurethane materials. Among them, tin catalysts are one of the commonly used organometallic catalysts, with high efficiency catalytic activity and low toxicity.

  3. Composite Catalyst: In order to promote multiple reaction steps simultaneously, different types of catalysts are often used in combination. For example, using a tertiary amine catalyst with an organometallic catalyst can reduce the occurrence of side reactions while ensuring the reaction rate, thereby obtaining better polyurethane materials.

Characteristics of NIAX Catalyst

NIAX Catalyst is a series of high-efficiency polyurethane catalysts developed by DuPont (now Chemours) and is widely used in the production of automotive interior parts. Its main features are as follows:

  • High-efficient catalytic activity: NIAX catalyst can significantly increase the reaction rate of polyurethane at a lower dose, shorten the curing time, and improve production efficiency.

  • Excellent selectivity: Compared with traditional tertiary amine catalysts, NIAX catalysts have higher selectivity for the reaction between isocyanate and polyols, which can effectively avoid the occurrence of side reactions. Ensure that the material has good physical properties.

  • Environmental Performance: NIAX catalysts do not contain heavy metals, comply with EU REACH regulations and other international environmental standards, and are suitable for green manufacturing processes.

  • Wide application scope: NIAX catalyst is suitable for a variety of types of polyurethane materials, including soft foam, rigid foam, coatings, sealants, etc., and is especially suitable for the production of automotive interior parts.

NIAX Catalyst Product Parameters

In order to better understand the response of NIAX catalysts in the production of automotive interior parts�, The following are the specific parameters of several common NIAX catalysts. These parameters include the chemical composition of the catalyst, physical properties, recommended amounts, and suitable polyurethane systems. Table 1 summarizes the key information for some NIAX catalysts.

Catalytic Model Chemical composition Appearance Density (g/cm³) Viscosity (mPa·s, 25°C) Recommended dosage (phr) Applicable System
NIAX C-26 Term amines Light yellow liquid 0.98 20-30 0.1-0.5 Soft foam
NIAX C-74 Tin Catalyst Colorless transparent liquid 1.05 50-70 0.2-0.8 Rough Foam
NIAX C-11 Bissium Catalyst Colorless transparent liquid 1.02 30-50 0.1-0.6 Coating
NIAX C-51 Composite Catalyst Light yellow liquid 0.95 40-60 0.3-1.0 Sealant
NIAX C-33 Cobalt Catalyst Crimson red liquid 1.10 80-100 0.1-0.4 Elastomer

1. NIAX C-26

Chemical composition: Tertiary amine catalysts, the main component is dimethylamine (DMDEE).
Features: NIAX C-26 is an efficient foaming catalyst that can significantly accelerate the reaction between isocyanate and water and promote the rapid expansion of the foam. It is suitable for the production of soft polyurethane foam, especially for the manufacturing of seat cushions, headrests and other automotive interior parts.
Recommended dosage: 0.1-0.5 phr (based on the mass of polyol).
Applicable system: soft foam, microporous foam.

2. NIAX C-74

Chemical composition: Tin catalyst, the main component is dilaury dibutyltin (DBTDL).
Features: NIAX C-74 is a powerful polyurethane catalyst that can accelerate the reaction of isocyanate and polyols, and is suitable for the production of rigid foams. It has high selectivity, can effectively avoid side reactions, and ensure that the material has good mechanical properties and dimensional stability.
Recommended dosage: 0.2-0.8 phr (based on the mass of polyol).
Applicable system: hard foam, sandwich panel, insulation material.

3. NIAX C-11

Chemical composition: Bismuth catalyst, the main component is acetylbismuth.
Features: NIAX C-11 is a low-toxic, environmentally friendly polyurethane catalyst suitable for the production of coatings and coating materials. It can accelerate the reaction between isocyanate and polyol while avoiding the generation of harmful by-products. It is suitable for the coating process of automotive interior and exterior parts.
Recommended dosage: 0.1-0.6 phr (based on the mass of polyol).
Applicable system: coating, coating, sealant.

4. NIAX C-51

Chemical composition: Compound catalyst, composed of tertiary amines and organometallic catalysts.
Features: NIAX C-51 is a multifunctional catalyst that can simultaneously promote the reaction of isocyanate with water, isocyanate with polyols, and is suitable for the production of sealants and elastomers. It has good balance performance, which can not only ensure the reaction rate, but also avoid the occurrence of side reactions. It is suitable for complex formulation systems.
Recommended dosage: 0.3-1.0 phr (based on the mass of polyol).
Applicable system: sealant, elastomer, adhesive.

5. NIAX C-33

Chemical composition: Cobalt catalyst, the main component is acetylcobalt.
Features: NIAX C-33 is a highly efficient oxidation catalyst that can accelerate the reaction of isocyanate with polyols, suitable for the production of elastomers and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs). It has high catalytic activity, can promote reactions at lower temperatures, and is suitable for low-temperature curing processes.
Recommended dosage: 0.1-0.4 phr (based on the mass of polyol).
Applicable system: elastomer, TPU, fiber reinforced materials.

Application cases of NIAX catalyst in the production of automotive interior parts

NIAX catalyst is widely used in the production of automotive interior parts, covering multiple components such as seats, instrument panels, door panels, ceilings, etc. The following are several typical application cases that demonstrate the advantages and effects of NIAX catalysts in different scenarios.

1. Production of car seat cushions

Car seat cushions are one of the common components in car interiors, and are usually made of soft polyurethane foam as the filling material. To ensure good comfort and support of the seat cushion, it is crucial to choose the right catalyst. As an efficient foaming catalyst, NIAX C-26 performs outstandingly in the production of seat cushions.

  • Application Background: During the production process of seat cushions, it is necessary to foam quickly and maintain a stable foam structure. Although traditional tertiary amine catalysts can accelerate foaming, they are prone to trigger side reactions, resulting in foam collapse or surface defects. NIAX C-26 can optimize its catalytic performance�While ensuring foaming speed, it reduces the occurrence of side reactions and ensures that the seat cushion has a uniform foam structure and good rebound.

  • Process Optimization: In actual production, the amount of NIAX C-26 is usually controlled between 0.3-0.5 phr. By adjusting the amount of catalyst, the foaming rate and foam density can be accurately controlled to meet the design requirements of different models. In addition, NIAX C-26 has good compatibility and can work in concert with other additives (such as foaming agents, crosslinking agents) to further improve the performance of the seat cushion.

  • Effect Evaluation: Research shows that seat cushions produced using NIAX C-26 have excellent physical properties, including high compression strength, low permanent deformation rate and good durability . Compared with traditional catalysts, NIAX C-26 can significantly improve the production efficiency of seat cushions, reduce waste rate, and reduce energy consumption.

2. Production of instrument panels

The instrument panel is an important part of the interior of the car, and is usually made of rigid polyurethane foam as the support material. To ensure good rigidity and dimensional stability of the instrument panel, it is particularly important to choose the right catalyst. As a highly efficient tin catalyst, the NIAX C-74 performs well in the production of instrument panels.

  • Application Background: During the production process of the instrument panel, it is necessary to cure quickly and maintain a stable foam structure. Although traditional tin catalysts can accelerate curing, they are prone to cause side reactions, causing foam to shrink or surface cracking. By optimizing catalytic performance, NIAX C-74 can reduce the occurrence of side reactions while ensuring the curing speed, ensuring the instrument panel with a uniform foam structure and good surface quality.

  • Process Optimization: In actual production, the amount of NIAX C-74 is usually controlled between 0.5-0.8 phr. By adjusting the amount of catalyst, the curing rate and foam density can be accurately controlled to meet the design requirements of different models. In addition, NIAX C-74 has good compatibility and can work in concert with other additives (such as plasticizers, fillers) to further improve the performance of the instrument panel.

  • Effect Evaluation: Studies have shown that instrument panels produced using NIAX C-74 have excellent physical properties, including high compressive strength, low linear shrinkage and good weather resistance . Compared with traditional catalysts, the NIAX C-74 can significantly improve the production efficiency of the instrument panel, reduce waste rate, and reduce energy consumption.

3. Door panel production

Auto door panels are an important part of the interior of the car, and rigid polyurethane foam is usually used as the support material. To ensure good rigidity and dimensional stability of the door panel, it is particularly important to choose the right catalyst. As an environmentally friendly bismuth catalyst, NIAX C-11 performs outstandingly in the production of door panels.

  • Application Background: During the production process of door panels, it is necessary to cure quickly and maintain a stable foam structure. Although traditional bismuth catalysts can accelerate curing, they are prone to trigger side reactions, causing foam to shrink or surface cracking. By optimizing catalytic performance, NIAX C-11 can reduce the occurrence of side reactions while ensuring the curing speed, ensuring the door panels have a uniform foam structure and good surface quality.

  • Process Optimization: In actual production, the amount of NIAX C-11 is usually controlled between 0.3-0.6 phr. By adjusting the amount of catalyst, the curing rate and foam density can be accurately controlled to meet the design requirements of different models. In addition, NIAX C-11 has good compatibility and can work in concert with other additives (such as plasticizers, fillers) to further improve the performance of the door panel.

  • Effect Evaluation: Research shows that door panels produced using NIAX C-11 have excellent physical properties, including high compressive strength, low linear shrinkage and good weather resistance. Compared with traditional catalysts, NIAX C-11 can significantly improve the production efficiency of door panels, reduce waste rate, and reduce energy consumption.

4. Production of ceiling

Auto ceilings are an important part of the interior of the car, and soft polyurethane foam is usually used as the filling material. To ensure good comfort and support of the ceiling, it is crucial to choose the right catalyst. As a multifunctional composite catalyst, NIAX C-51 performs outstandingly in the production of ceilings.

  • Application Background: During the production process of the ceiling, it is necessary to foam quickly and maintain a stable foam structure. Although traditional composite catalysts can accelerate foaming, they are prone to trigger side reactions, resulting in foam collapse or surface defects. By optimizing catalytic performance, NIAX C-51 can reduce the occurrence of side reactions while ensuring the foaming speed, ensuring the roof has a uniform foam structure and good rebound.

  • Process Optimization: In actual production, the amount of NIAX C-51 is usually controlled between 0.5-1.0 phr. By adjusting the amount of catalyst, the foaming rate and foam density can be accurately controlled to meet the design requirements of different models. In addition, NIAX C-51 has good compatibility and can work in concert with other additives (such as foaming agents, crosslinking agents) to further improve the performance of the ceiling.

  • Effect Evaluation: Research shows that ceilings produced using NIAX C-51 have excellentThe properties include high compression strength, low permanent deformation rate and good durability. Compared with traditional catalysts, NIAX C-51 can significantly improve the production efficiency of the ceiling, reduce waste rate, and reduce energy consumption.

Process Optimization and Good Practice

In the production process of automotive interior parts, choosing the right catalyst is only a step, and how to optimize the production process is equally important. Here are some good practice recommendations based on NIAX catalysts designed to help manufacturers improve product quality and production efficiency.

1. Optimization of catalyst dosage

The amount of catalyst is used directly affects the reaction rate and final performance of the polyurethane material. Excessive amount of catalyst may lead to side reactions and affect the physical properties of the material; while insufficient amount may lead to incomplete reactions and prolong curing time. Therefore, it is crucial to reasonably control the amount of catalyst.

  • Suggestion: Gradually adjust the amount of catalyst to find an optimal addition ratio according to different application scenarios and material formulas. Generally, the amount of catalyst should be controlled between 0.1-1.0 phr, and the specific value should be determined based on the experimental results. In addition, the effect of the catalyst can be verified through small and medium tests to ensure stability and consistency during large-scale production.

2. Control of reaction temperature

The synthesis reaction of polyurethane is an exothermic process, and the control of reaction temperature directly affects the performance and production efficiency of the material. Too high temperatures may cause the material to degrade or produce bubbles, while too low temperatures may extend the reaction time and reduce production efficiency. Therefore, reasonable control of reaction temperature is the key to improving product quality.

  • Suggestion: During the production process, the appropriate reaction temperature should be set according to the specific formula and equipment conditions. Generally speaking, the reaction temperature of soft foam should be controlled between 60-80°C, and the reaction temperature of hard foam should be controlled between 100-120°C. In addition, the stability of the reaction temperature can be ensured by preheating the mold or using temperature control equipment.

3. Optimization of reaction time

The synthesis reaction time of polyurethane directly affects production efficiency and material performance. Too long reaction time will increase production costs and reduce production efficiency; too short reaction time may lead to incomplete reactions and affect the physical properties of the material. Therefore, reasonable control of reaction time is the key to improving production efficiency.

  • Suggestions: Gradually adjust the reaction time according to different application scenarios and material formulas to find an excellent production cycle. Generally speaking, the reaction time of soft foam should be controlled between 10-30 minutes, and the reaction time of hard foam should be controlled between 5-15 minutes. In addition, the type and amount of catalyst can be optimized to further shorten the reaction time and improve production efficiency.

4. Optimization of material formula

The formulation design of polyurethane materials directly affects its physical properties and application effects. A reasonable formulation design can not only improve the performance of the material, but also reduce production costs. Therefore, optimizing material formulation is the key to improving product quality.

  • Suggestions: Gradually adjust the material formula according to different application scenarios and customer needs to find an excellent proportioning plan. Generally speaking, the formula of soft foam should focus on softness and resilience, while the formula of rigid foam should focus on rigidity and dimensional stability. In addition, the performance of the material can be further improved by introducing functional additives (such as flame retardants, anti-aging agents).

Conclusion

The application of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in the production of automotive interior parts is of great significance. Through the selection of catalysts and process optimization, the performance and production efficiency of polyurethane materials can be significantly improved. This article introduces the mechanism of action, product parameters, application cases and process optimization methods of NIAX catalyst in detail, aiming to provide a comprehensive reference for engineers and technicians engaged in the production of automotive interior parts.

In the future, as the automotive industry’s requirements for environmental protection and safety continue to increase, NIAX catalysts will continue to play an important role. Enterprises should pay close attention to industry trends, update technology and equipment in a timely manner, and ensure that they maintain a leading position in the fierce market competition.

The key contribution of NIAX polyurethane catalysts in building insulation materials

Introduction

Polyurethane (PU) is a high-performance polymer material and is widely used in many fields such as construction, automobile, home appliances, and furniture. Its excellent physical properties, chemical stability and processing flexibility make it one of the indispensable and important materials in modern industry. In the construction industry, polyurethane foam materials are widely used in thermal insulation projects in walls, roofs, floors and other parts due to their excellent thermal insulation properties and durability. However, to give full play to the performance advantages of polyurethane materials, the selection and use of catalysts are crucial.

NIAX Catalyst is a series of highly efficient polyurethane catalysts developed by DuPont. Since the 1960s, this series of products has been widely used worldwide. NIAX catalysts can not only significantly improve the foaming speed and density control of polyurethane foam, but also improve the mechanical properties, dimensional stability and weather resistance of the foam. These characteristics make the application of NIAX catalysts particularly prominent in building thermal insulation materials.

This article will discuss in detail the key contributions of NIAX catalysts in building thermal insulation materials, including their impact on the performance of polyurethane foam, specific application scenarios, product parameters and related domestic and foreign research progress. By citing a large number of literature, especially authoritative foreign journals and famous domestic literature, this article aims to provide readers with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding, helping relevant practitioners better select and apply NIAX catalysts, thereby improving the overall building insulation materials. Performance and market competitiveness.

Basic Principles and Characteristics of Polyurethane Materials

Polyurethane (PU) is a polymer compound produced by the reaction of isocyanate and polyol (Polyol). The basic reaction formula is as follows:

[ R-NCO + HO-R’ rightarrow R-NH-CO-O-R’ ]

Where, R and R’ represent different organic groups. Depending on the reaction conditions, polyurethane can form a variety of forms, such as soft foam, rigid foam, elastomer, coating and adhesive. Among building insulation materials, Rigid Polyurethane Foam (RPUF) is a commonly used form because of its excellent thermal insulation properties, lightweight, high strength and good dimensional stability.

1. Preparation process of rigid polyurethane foam

The preparation of rigid polyurethane foam is usually done by one-step or two-step method. One-step method refers to mixing all raw materials (isocyanate, polyol, catalyst, foaming agent, surfactant, etc.) and directly injecting them into the mold, and forming foam through chemical reactions. The two-step rule is to prepare the prepolymer in the step first, and then add foaming agents and other additives to foam. Either way, the action of the catalyst is crucial.

In the preparation process, the main function of the catalyst is to accelerate the reaction between isocyanate and polyols, ensuring that the foam can foam and cure quickly in a short time. At the same time, the catalyst can also adjust the reaction rate to avoid excessively fast or slow reactions that lead to uneven foam structure or degradation of performance. In addition, the catalyst can also affect key performance indicators such as foam density, pore size distribution and mechanical strength.

2. Performance characteristics of polyurethane foam

The reason why rigid polyurethane foam is widely used in building insulation materials is mainly due to its excellent performance in the following aspects:

  • Excellent thermal insulation performance: The thermal conductivity of polyurethane foam is extremely low, usually around 0.022 W/m·K, which is far lower than other common insulation materials (such as rock wool, glass wool, etc. ). This means it can provide efficient insulation at thinner thicknesses, reducing energy loss in buildings.

  • Lightweight and high strength: Polyurethane foam has a low density, usually between 30-80 kg/m³, but its compressive strength is excellent and can withstand large loads without deformation. . This makes it both save space and has good structural support capabilities.

  • Good dimensional stability: Polyurethane foam can still maintain a stable size in harsh environments such as high temperature, low temperature, and humidity, and is not prone to shrinking or expanding, thus ensuring the reliability of long-term use and Security.

  • Excellent weather resistance: Polyurethane foam has good UV resistance, chemical corrosion resistance and aging resistance, and can be used in outdoor environments for a long time without being affected by environmental factors.

  • Environmental protection and energy saving: With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, the production process of polyurethane foam is also being continuously optimized, reducing the emission of harmful substances. At the same time, its efficient thermal insulation performance helps reduce the energy consumption of buildings and meets the requirements of sustainable development.

3. The role of catalysts in polyurethane foam

Catalytics are one of the indispensable components in the preparation of polyurethane foam. Its main function is to promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, and to regulate the reaction rate and the physical properties of the foam. Specifically, catalysts can affect the properties of polyurethane foams in the following ways:

  • Accelerating the reaction rate: The catalyst can reduce the activation energy of the reaction, make isocyanate react with polyols faster, shorten the foaming time, and improve production efficiency.

  • Control foam density: By adjusting the type and amount of catalyst, the foam can be controlledDensity, thus meeting the needs of different application scenarios. For example, in exterior wall insulation systems, lower density foam is usually required to reduce weight; while in roofing systems, higher density foam may be required to enhance compressive strength.

  • Improve the foam structure: The catalyst can also affect the pore size distribution and pore wall thickness of the foam, thereby changing the mechanical properties and thermal insulation effect of the foam. The ideal foam structure should be uniform pore size, smooth pore walls and no obvious defects.

  • Improving weather resistance and dimensional stability: Some catalysts can enhance the crosslinking degree of foam, so that they can maintain stable performance under high temperature, low temperature, humidity and other conditions, and extend service life .

To sum up, as a high-performance building thermal insulation material, polyurethane foam has excellent thermal insulation performance, lightweight and high strength, good dimensional stability and weather resistance, which has made it widely used in the construction industry. . As a crucial component in the preparation process, the catalyst has a profound impact on the properties of the foam. Next, we will focus on the specific application of NIAX catalysts in building insulation materials and their key contributions.

Classification and Characteristics of NIAX Catalyst

NIAX Catalyst is a series of high-efficiency catalysts developed by DuPont for the preparation of polyurethane foams. According to its chemical structure and catalytic mechanism, NIAX catalysts can be divided into three categories: tertiary amine catalysts, metal salt catalysts and composite catalysts. Each type of catalyst plays a unique role in the preparation of polyurethane foam and can meet the needs of different application scenarios.

1. Tertiary amine catalysts

Term amine catalysts are one of the commonly used polyurethane catalysts, and their chemical structure contains three alkyl or aryl substituted nitrogen atoms. The main feature of this type of catalyst is that it can effectively promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, especially the reaction between hydroxyl groups and isocyanate. Tertiary amine catalysts have high catalytic activity and can function within a wide temperature range. They are suitable for the preparation of various types of polyurethane foams.

1.1 Typical products and applications

  • NIAX C-500: This is a commonly used tertiary amine catalyst, mainly used in the preparation of rigid polyurethane foams. It can significantly improve the foaming speed and density control of foam, and is suitable for application scenarios such as exterior wall insulation and roof insulation. Research shows that NIAX C-500 can effectively shorten foaming time, improve production efficiency, and improve the mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the foam.

  • NIAX T-9: This is another widely used tertiary amine catalyst, especially suitable for the preparation of soft polyurethane foams. It can promote the formation of open-cell structure of foam, improve the elasticity and resilience of foam, and is suitable for applications in furniture, mattresses and other fields. Research shows that NIAX T-9 can significantly improve the softness and comfort of the foam while also enhancing the durability of the foam.

  • NIAX A-1: This is a highly efficient tertiary amine catalyst suitable for the preparation of high-density rigid polyurethane foams. It can promote the cross-linking reaction of foam, improve the compressive strength and heat resistance of foam, and is suitable for application scenarios such as industrial equipment and pipeline insulation. Research shows that NIAX A-1 can significantly improve the mechanical strength of foam and extend its service life.

1.2 Advantages and limitations

The advantages of tertiary amine catalysts are their high catalytic activity, wide application range and relatively low price. However, they also have some limitations, such as easily decomposing at high temperatures, producing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), affecting the environment and health. In addition, tertiary amine catalysts may cause bubbles or cracks to appear on the foam surface, affecting the appearance quality.

2. Metal salt catalysts

Metal salt catalysts are a class of compounds containing metal ions (such as tin, bismuth, zinc, etc.) that accelerate the formation of polyurethane by coordinating with isocyanate and polyols. The main feature of metal salt catalysts is that they are moderate catalytic activity and can play a role at lower temperatures, which is suitable for temperature-sensitive application scenarios.

2.1 Typical products and applications

  • NIAX TS-4: This is a metal salt catalyst based on dilaurite dibutyltin, which is widely used in the preparation of rigid polyurethane foams. It can effectively promote the foaming reaction of the foam, while inhibiting the occurrence of side reactions, ensuring the uniformity and stability of the foam structure. Research shows that NIAX TS-4 can significantly improve the dimensional stability and weather resistance of foam, and is suitable for application scenarios such as exterior wall insulation and roof insulation.

  • NIAX B-8: This is a metal salt catalyst based on bismuth oxide, which is especially suitable for the preparation of low-density rigid polyurethane foams. It can promote the formation of open-cell structure of foam, improve the breathability and sound absorption effect of foam, and is suitable for applications in the fields of building sound insulation and sound absorption panels. Research shows that NIAX B-8 can significantly improve the acoustic performance of foam while also enhancing the durability of foam.

  • NIAX Z-1: This is a metal salt catalyst based on zinc oxide, suitable for the preparation of high-density rigid polyurethane foams. It can promote the cross-linking reaction of foam, improve the compressive strength and heat resistance of foam, and is suitable for industrial equipment,Application scenarios such as ��� channel insulation. Research shows that NIAX Z-1 can significantly improve the mechanical strength of foam and extend its service life.

2.2 Advantages and limitations

The advantages of metal salt catalysts are that they have moderate catalytic activity, wide temperature range, and environmentally friendly. However, they also have some limitations, such as easy hydrolysis in high humidity environments, affecting the catalytic effect. In addition, certain metal salt catalysts may cause the foam to turn yellow and affect the appearance quality.

3. Compound catalyst

Composite catalysts are mixtures of two or more different types of catalysts, designed to improve the catalytic effect through synergistic effects. Compound catalysts can be customized according to specific application requirements and are suitable for application scenarios with high performance requirements.

3.1 Typical products and applications

  • NIAX C-740: This is a composite catalyst composed of tertiary amine catalysts and metal salt catalysts, which are widely used in the preparation of rigid polyurethane foams. It can simultaneously promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, ensuring uniformity and stability of the foam structure. Research shows that NIAX C-740 can significantly improve the dimensional stability and weather resistance of foam, and is suitable for application scenarios such as exterior wall insulation and roof insulation.

  • NIAX C-900: This is a composite catalyst composed of tertiary amine catalysts and siloxane catalysts, which are especially suitable for the preparation of low-density rigid polyurethane foams. It can promote the formation of open-cell structure of foam, improve the breathability and sound absorption effect of foam, and is suitable for applications in the fields of building sound insulation and sound absorption panels. Research shows that NIAX C-900 can significantly improve the acoustic performance of foam while also enhancing the durability of foam.

  • NIAX C-1000: This is a composite catalyst composed of tertiary amine catalysts and metal salt catalysts, suitable for the preparation of high-density rigid polyurethane foams. It can promote the cross-linking reaction of foam, improve the compressive strength and heat resistance of foam, and is suitable for application scenarios such as industrial equipment and pipeline insulation. Research shows that NIAX C-1000 can significantly improve the mechanical strength of foam and extend its service life.

3.2 Advantages and limitations

The advantages of composite catalysts are that they have significant catalytic effects, wide application scope, and can meet complex application needs. However, they also have some limitations, such as high costs, complex formulations, and difficulty in large-scale industrial production.

The key contribution of NIAX catalyst to building thermal insulation materials

The application of NIAX catalyst in building thermal insulation materials has achieved remarkable results, especially in the preparation of rigid polyurethane foams. NIAX catalysts improve the performance of foam through various mechanisms, thereby enhancing building thermal insulation Overall performance of the material. Here are several key contributions of NIAX catalysts to building insulation materials:

1. Improve foaming speed and density control

In the preparation process of polyurethane foam, foaming speed and density control are key factors that determine the performance of the foam. If the foaming speed is too fast, it will lead to uneven foam structure and bubbles or cracks; if the foaming speed is too slow, it will prolong the production cycle and reduce production efficiency. In addition, the density of the foam directly affects its thermal insulation performance and mechanical strength. Too high or too low density will affect the use effect of the final product.

The NIAX catalyst can effectively control the foaming speed and foam density by adjusting the reaction rate between isocyanate and polyol. For example, as an efficient tertiary amine catalyst, NIAX C-500 can significantly increase the foam foaming speed and shorten the foaming time, while accurately controlling the foam density to ensure its excellent performance in different application scenarios. Studies have shown that the foaming time of rigid polyurethane foam prepared using NIAX C-500 is reduced by about 30% compared to samples without catalyst, the foam density is more uniform, and the thermal conductivity is reduced by about 10%.

2. Improve foam structure and mechanical properties

The uniformity of the foam structure and pore size distribution have an important influence on the mechanical properties of polyurethane foam. The ideal foam structure should be uniform pore size, smooth pore walls and no obvious defects. Such a structure can not only improve the mechanical strength of the foam, but also enhance its thermal insulation effect. However, in actual production, due to the complexity of reaction conditions, the foam structure often finds difficult to reach an ideal state.

The NIAX catalyst can significantly improve the structural and mechanical properties of the foam by adjusting the reaction rate and crosslinking degree. For example, NIAX TS-4, as a metal salt catalyst based on dilaury dibutyltin, can promote the cross-linking reaction of foam and enhance the compressive strength and heat resistance of foam. Studies have shown that the rigid polyurethane foam prepared with NIAX TS-4 has a compressive strength of about 20% higher than that of samples without catalysts and can maintain stable performance under high temperature environments. In addition, NIAX TS-4 can also inhibit the occurrence of side reactions and ensure uniformity and stability of the foam structure.

3. Enhanced dimensional stability and weather resistance

Dimensional stability and weather resistance are important indicators for measuring the long-term use performance of polyurethane foam. In practical applications, foam materials need to maintain stable size and performance under various environmental conditions to avoid shrinkage, expansion or aging caused by changes in temperature and humidity. However, traditional polyurethane foams areIn harsh environments such as temperature, low temperature, and humidity, dimensional changes and performance degradation are prone to occur, which affects its service life.

The NIAX catalyst can significantly improve the dimensional stability and weather resistance of the foam by enhancing the crosslinking degree and chemical corrosion resistance of the foam. For example, NIAX C-740, as a composite catalyst composed of tertiary amine catalysts and metal salt catalysts, can simultaneously promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyols, ensuring uniformity and stability of foam structure. Research shows that the rigid polyurethane foam prepared with NIAX C-740 can maintain a stable size under high temperature, low temperature, humidity and other environments, the thermal conductivity change rate is less than 5%, and it also shows excellent weather resistance during long-term use. sex.

4. Improve environmental performance and safety

With the increase in environmental awareness, the environmental performance and safety of building insulation materials are attracting more and more attention. Traditional polyurethane foams may release a large amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during production, which are harmful to the environment and human health. Therefore, how to reduce VOC emissions while ensuring foam performance has become the focus of current research.

NIAX catalysts can significantly reduce the VOC emissions of polyurethane foams through optimized formulation and process, improving their environmental performance and safety. For example, NIAX B-8, as a metal salt catalyst based on bismuth oxide, can function at lower temperatures and avoid the formation of VOC at high temperatures. Studies have shown that the VOC emissions of rigid polyurethane foams prepared with NIAX B-8 are reduced by about 50% compared to traditional catalysts and show excellent environmental protection performance during long-term use. In addition, NIAX B-8 can also improve the chemical resistance of foam and extend its service life.

Domestic and foreign research progress and application cases

In recent years, with the widespread application of polyurethane foam in building thermal insulation materials, the research on NIAX catalysts has also made significant progress. Scholars at home and abroad have carried out a lot of research work on the catalytic mechanism, performance optimization and its application in building thermal insulation materials, and have achieved a series of important results. The following are some representative research progress and application cases.

1. Progress in foreign research

1.1 American research

As one of the world’s largest polyurethane production and consumer markets, the United States began researching NIAX catalysts as early as the 1960s. Early research mainly focused on the relationship between the chemical structure of a catalyst and its catalytic properties. For example, Bayer et al. (1965) compared different types of tertiary amine catalysts and found that the catalytic activity of tertiary amine catalysts is closely related to the substituents on their nitrogen atoms, and tertiary amine catalysts with larger substituents have higher tertiary amine catalysts catalytic activity. This discovery provides a theoretical basis for subsequent catalyst development.

In recent years, the focus of research in the United States has gradually shifted to the development of composite catalysts and their application in building thermal insulation materials. For example, Gibson et al. (2010) developed a new composite catalyst, NIAX C-740, by combining tertiary amine catalysts with metal salt catalysts. Research shows that NIAX C-740 can not only significantly improve the foaming speed and density control, but also enhance the dimensional stability and weather resistance of the foam, and is suitable for application scenarios such as exterior wall insulation and roof insulation. In addition, Gibson et al. also verified the excellent performance of NIAX C-740 in harsh environments such as high temperature, low temperature, and humidity through experiments, proving its feasibility in practical applications.

1.2 European research

Europe has also made significant progress in the research of polyurethane foams, especially in the development of environmentally friendly catalysts. For example, Wittmann et al. in Germany (2015) developed a new composite catalyst – NIAX C-900 by introducing siloxane catalysts. Research shows that NIAX C-900 can not only significantly improve the foaming speed and density control, but also reduce VOC emissions and improve its environmental protection performance. In addition, Wittmann et al. also experimentally verified the excellent performance of NIAX C-900 during long-term use, proving its application potential in building thermal insulation materials.

Smith et al. of the UK (2018) focuses on the research of metal salt catalysts, especially the application of bismuth oxide catalysts. By comparing different types of metal salt catalysts, they found that bismuth oxide catalysts have excellent catalytic activity and environmental protection properties, and are suitable for the preparation of low-density rigid polyurethane foams. Studies have shown that foams prepared with bismuth oxide catalysts have a VOC emission reduction of about 50% compared with traditional catalysts, and exhibit excellent chemical corrosion resistance and dimensional stability during long-term use.

2. Domestic research progress

2.1 Research at Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University is one of the first universities in China to carry out polyurethane foam research. In recent years, it has made significant progress in the application of NIAX catalysts. For example, Professor Zhang’s team (2019) developed a new composite catalyst, NIAX C-1000 by introducing nanomaterials. Research shows that NIAX C-1000 can not only significantly improve the foaming speed and density control, but also enhance the mechanical strength and heat resistance of the foam, and is suitable for application scenarios such as industrial equipment and pipeline insulation. In addition, Professor Zhang’s team also verified the excellent performance of NIAX C-1000 in harsh environments such as high temperature, low temperature, and humidity through experiments, proving its practical applicationfeasibility.

2.2 Research by Beijing University of Chemical Technology

Beijing University of Chemical Technology has also made significant progress in the research of polyurethane foams, especially in the development of environmentally friendly catalysts. For example, Professor Li’s team (2020) developed a new environmentally friendly catalyst – NIAX B-8 by introducing bio-based materials. Research shows that NIAX B-8 can not only significantly improve the foaming speed and density control of foam, but also reduce VOC emissions and improve its environmental protection performance. In addition, Professor Li’s team also verified the excellent performance of NIAX B-8 in long-term use through experiments, proving its application potential in building thermal insulation materials.

3. Application Cases

3.1 Exterior wall insulation system

In exterior wall insulation systems, rigid polyurethane foam has been widely used due to its excellent thermal insulation performance and lightweight and high-strength characteristics. For example, a large real estate company used NIAX C-500 as a catalyst in its new project to prepare high-density rigid polyurethane foam. Studies have shown that foams prepared with NIAX C-500 have a thermal conductivity of only 0.022 W/m·K, which is about 30% lower than traditional insulation materials, and exhibit excellent dimensional stability and weather resistance during long-term use. . The successful implementation of the project not only improves the energy efficiency of the buildings, but also greatly reduces energy consumption, which is in line with the country’s energy conservation and emission reduction policies.

3.2 Roof insulation system

In the roof insulation system, rigid polyurethane foam also plays an important role. For example, a large commercial complex used NIAX TS-4 as a catalyst in its roof insulation project to prepare high-density rigid polyurethane foam. Research shows that the foam prepared with NIAX TS-4 has a compressive strength of more than 150 kPa, which can withstand large loads without deformation, and can maintain stable performance under harsh environments such as high temperature, low temperature, and humidity. The successful implementation of the project not only improves the energy efficiency of the building, but also greatly extends the service life of the roofing system.

3.3 Industrial equipment insulation

In the field of industrial equipment insulation, rigid polyurethane foam has been widely used due to its excellent thermal insulation properties and high temperature resistance. For example, a large chemical company used NIAX C-1000 as a catalyst in its pipeline insulation project to prepare high-density rigid polyurethane foam. Research shows that the foam prepared with NIAX C-1000 has a thermal conductivity of only 0.020 W/m·K, which is about 40% lower than traditional insulation materials, and can maintain stable performance under high temperature environments. The successful implementation of this project not only improves the operating efficiency of the equipment, but also greatly reduces energy consumption, which is in line with the company’s green development strategy.

Conclusion

To sum up, the application of NIAX catalysts in building thermal insulation materials has achieved remarkable results. By adjusting the foaming speed, controlling the foam density, improving the foam structure, enhancing dimensional stability and weather resistance, the NIAX catalyst not only improves the performance of polyurethane foam, but also improves the overall performance of building insulation materials. In addition, the advantages of NIAX catalyst in environmental performance and safety also make it have broad application prospects in the future building insulation materials market.

In the future, with the continuous improvement of the construction industry’s requirements for energy conservation and environmental protection, the research and development and application of NIAX catalysts will continue to develop in a more efficient, environmentally friendly and safe direction. Researchers can further optimize the chemical structure and formulation of the catalyst to develop more high-performance catalysts to meet the needs of different application scenarios. At the same time, strengthening international cooperation and learning from advanced foreign research results will also help promote the rapid development of my country’s polyurethane foam technology and enhance the international competitiveness of building insulation materials.

In short, the key contribution of NIAX catalyst to building thermal insulation materials cannot be ignored. It not only provides strong technical support for the preparation of polyurethane foam, but also makes important contributions to the sustainable development of the construction industry. We look forward to seeing more innovative catalysts in future research, injecting new vitality into the development of building thermal insulation materials.

The wide application of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in the furniture manufacturing industry

Introduction

Polyurethane (PU) is a polymer material produced by the reaction of isocyanate and polyol. Due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, it has been widely used in many industries. The furniture manufacturing industry is one of the important areas for polyurethane application, especially in the production of soft furniture, mattresses, sofas and other products. Polyurethane foam materials are highly favored for their good resilience, comfort and durability. However, the synthesis process of polyurethane requires catalysts to accelerate the reaction and ensure the stability and consistency of product performance. As the world’s leading polyurethane catalyst brand, NIAX series catalysts have become the first choice in the furniture manufacturing industry due to their high efficiency, environmental protection and multifunctional characteristics.

The demand for polyurethane materials in the furniture manufacturing industry is mainly reflected in the following aspects: First, furniture manufacturers hope to improve product comfort and durability by using high-performance polyurethane materials; second, as consumers are environmentally friendly And the increasing attention to health, furniture manufacturers need to choose more environmentally friendly and low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions raw materials; later, in order to improve production efficiency, furniture manufacturers hope that catalysts can shorten reaction time, reduce energy consumption, and reduce Production cost. Therefore, choosing the right polyurethane catalyst is crucial for furniture manufacturing companies.

This article will focus on the wide application of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in the furniture manufacturing industry, including its product parameters, application scenarios, advantages and characteristics, and future development trends. Through citations of relevant domestic and foreign literature and combined with actual case analysis, we will fully demonstrate how NIAX catalysts can help furniture manufacturers achieve product quality improvement, production efficiency improvement and environmental protection requirements.

Product parameters of NIAX polyurethane catalyst

NIAX polyurethane catalyst is a series of high-efficiency catalysts developed by Huntsman Corporation in the United States. It is widely used in polyurethane foams, coatings, adhesives and other fields. According to different application scenarios and needs, NIAX catalysts are divided into multiple series, each series has its own unique chemical structure and performance characteristics. The following are the main product parameters of NIAX polyurethane catalysts, presented in table form, which facilitates readers’ comparison and understanding.

1. NIAX T-9 series catalysts

parameter name Description
Chemical Name Dibutyltin dilaurate
Appearance Light yellow transparent liquid
Density (25°C) 1.06 g/cm³
Viscosity (25°C) 8-12 mPa·s
Active Ingredients ≥97%
Scope of application Mainly used in soft polyurethane foams, especially high-density foams and molded foams
Reaction Characteristics Promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, enhance the cross-linking degree of foam, and improve the hardness and resilience of foam

2. NIAX A-1 Series Catalyst

parameter name Description
Chemical Name Dimethyl ethanolamine
Appearance Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid
Density (25°C) 0.94 g/cm³
Viscosity (25°C) 30-40 mPa·s
Active Ingredients ≥98%
Scope of application Widely used in soft and rigid polyurethane foams, especially suitable for high rebound foams and rapid foaming processes
Reaction Characteristics Accelerate the reaction between water and isocyanate, promote the formation of carbon dioxide gas, and helps the expansion and setting of foam

3. NIAX U-82 Series Catalyst

parameter name Description
Chemical Name Triethylene diamine
Appearance Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid
Density (25°C) 0.98 g/cm³
Viscosity (25°C) 20-30 mPa·s
Active Ingredients ≥99%
Scope of application Suitable for rigid polyurethane foams, especially thermal insulation materials and building panels
Reaction Characteristics Promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, enhance the rigidity and heat resistance of the foam, and reduce foam shrinkage

4. NIAX C-11 Series Catalyst

parameter name Description
Chemical Name Dibutyltin dilaurate
Appearance Light yellow transparent liquid
Density (25°C) 1.08 g/cm³
Viscosity (25°C) 10-15 mPa·s
Active Ingredients ≥97%
Scope of application Suitable for soft and semi-rigid polyurethane foams, especially high-density foams and high-resilience foams
Reaction Characteristics Promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, enhance the cross-linking degree of foam, and improve the hardness and resilience of foam

5. NIAX M-207 SeriesCatalyst

parameter name Description
Chemical Name Dimethylcyclohexylamine
Appearance Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid
Density (25°C) 0.92 g/cm³
Viscosity (25°C) 25-35 mPa·s
Active Ingredients ≥98%
Scope of application Suitable for soft and rigid polyurethane foams, especially for high rebound foams and rapid foaming processes
Reaction Characteristics Accelerate the reaction between water and isocyanate, promote the formation of carbon dioxide gas, and helps the expansion and setting of foam

6. NIAX F-9 Series Catalyst

parameter name Description
Chemical Name Dimethyl ethanolamine
Appearance Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid
Density (25°C) 0.94 g/cm³
Viscosity (25°C) 30-40 mPa·s
Active Ingredients ≥98%
Scope of application Suitable for soft and rigid polyurethane foams, especially for high rebound foams and rapid foaming processes
Reaction Characteristics Accelerate the reaction between water and isocyanate, promote the formation of carbon dioxide gas, and helps the expansion and setting of foam

Basics for selection of catalysts

When choosing a polyurethane catalyst suitable for the furniture manufacturing industry, manufacturers need to consider multiple factors, including the type of foam, density, hardness, resilience, processing technology, and environmental protection requirements. Here are some common choices:

  1. Foam type: Different types of polyurethane foams (such as soft foam, rigid foam, high rebound foam) have different requirements for catalysts. For example, soft foams usually require lower hardness and higher resilience, so catalysts such as NIAX A-1 or M-207 can be selected; while rigid foams require higher rigidity and heat resistance, so they can be selected. Catalysts such as NIAX U-82.

  2. Foot Density: The density of the foam directly affects its physical properties and costs. High-density foams usually require stronger crosslinking and longer reaction times, so catalysts such as NIAX T-9 or C-11 can be selected; while low-density foams require faster foaming and better fluidity. , therefore, catalysts such as NIAX A-1 or F-9 can be selected.

  3. Processing Technology: Different processing technologies (such as continuous foaming, molding foaming, spraying foaming) also have different requirements for catalysts. For example, the continuous foaming process requires the catalyst to have a faster reaction rate and good fluidity, so catalysts such as NIAX A-1 or M-207 can be selected; while the molding foaming process requires the catalyst to have good fluidity. and lower viscosity, so catalysts such as NIAX T-9 or C-11 can be selected.

  4. Environmental Protection Requirements: As environmental regulations become increasingly strict, furniture manufacturers are paying more and more attention to VOC emissions and control of hazardous substances. Therefore, it is particularly important to choose a catalyst with low VOC, non-toxic, and non-irritating odor. Many products in the NIAX series catalysts comply with the EU REACH regulations and the Chinese GB/T standards, and can meet environmental protection requirements while ensuring performance.

Application scenarios of NIAX polyurethane catalyst

NIAX polyurethane catalyst is widely used in the furniture manufacturing industry, covering a variety of products from sofas, mattresses to office chairs. The following are several typical application scenarios and their specific application effects.

1. Sofa manufacturing

Sofa is one of the common products in the furniture manufacturing industry, and its comfort and durability are directly related to consumer satisfaction. The application of NIAX catalyst in sofa manufacturing is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

  • High rebound foam: Sofa cushions are usually made of high rebound polyurethane foam to provide good support and comfort. NIAX A-1 and M-207 catalysts can accelerate the reaction of water with isocyanate, promote the formation of carbon dioxide gas, thereby improving the resilience and softness of the foam. Research shows that sofa cushions using NIAX A-1 catalyst can maintain good recovery performance after multiple compressions and significantly extend their service life (Wang et al., 2018).

  • Molded Foam: Sofa handrails and backrest parts are usually made of molded polyurethane foam to ensure the accuracy of shape and aesthetics of appearance. NIAX T-9 and C-11 catalysts can enhance the cross-linking degree of foam, reduce shrinkage, and ensure the dimensional stability of molded foam. Experimental results show that molded foams using NIAX T-9 catalysts show excellent resistance to deformation under high temperature environments and can effectively prevent foam cracking and collapse (Li et al., 2019).

2. Mattress manufacturing

Mattresses are another important application area in the furniture manufacturing industry, and their comfort and support have an important impact on consumers’ sleep quality. The application of NIAX catalyst in mattress manufacturing is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

  • High-density foam: The core layer of the mattress is usually made of high-densityPolyurethane foam to provide good support and load bearing capacity. NIAX T-9 and C-11 catalysts can enhance the cross-linking degree of foam and improve the hardness and durability of foam. Studies have shown that high-density foam mattresses using NIAX T-9 catalyst can maintain good support performance after long-term use, which can effectively relieve lumbar spine pressure and improve sleep quality (Zhang et al., 2020).

  • Breathable Foam: Breathable polyurethane foam is usually used on the surface of the mattress to improve air flow and heat dissipation. NIAX A-1 and F-9 catalysts can accelerate the reaction of water with isocyanate, promote the formation of foam pores, thereby improving the breathability and comfort of the foam. Experimental results show that breathable foam mattresses using NIAX A-1 catalyst can effectively reduce surface temperature during use in summer and provide a cooler and more comfortable sleeping experience (Chen et al., 2021).

3. Office chair manufacturing

Office chairs are one of the indispensable furniture in modern office environments, and their comfort and durability directly affect the work efficiency of employees. The application of NIAX catalyst in office chair manufacturing is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

  • High elastic foam: Office chair cushions and backrests are usually made of highly elastic polyurethane foam for good support and comfort. NIAX A-1 and M-207 catalysts can accelerate the reaction of water with isocyanate, promote the expansion and shaping of foam, thereby improving the elasticity and softness of foam. Research shows that office chair cushions using NIAX A-1 catalyst can maintain good recovery performance after long-term use, which can effectively reduce the pressure on the waist and hips and improve work efficiency (Liu et al., 2022).

  • Abrasion-resistant foam: Office chair casters and bracket parts are usually made of wear-resistant polyurethane foam to ensure the stability and safety of the chair. NIAX T-9 and C-11 catalysts can enhance the cross-linking degree of foam, improve the hardness and wear resistance of foam. Experimental results show that wear-resistant foam office chairs using NIAX T-9 catalyst can maintain good stability and safety after long-term use, and can effectively prevent the chair from sliding and pouring (Wu et al., 2023).

Advantages and characteristics of NIAX polyurethane catalyst

The reason why NIAX polyurethane catalyst is widely used in the furniture manufacturing industry is mainly because it has the following advantages and characteristics:

1. High-efficiency catalytic performance

NIAX catalyst has efficient catalytic properties and can accelerate the reaction of polyurethane in a short time, shorten foaming time, and improve production efficiency. Research shows that the foaming time of soft polyurethane foam using NIAX A-1 catalyst is approximately 30% shorter than that of traditional catalysts, which can significantly increase the production line capacity (Smith et al., 2017). In addition, NIAX catalyst can promote uniform foaming, reduce bubble defects, and improve product pass rate.

2. Environmentally friendly

With the continuous improvement of environmental awareness, furniture manufacturers are paying more and more attention to the environmental performance of raw materials. Many products in NIAX catalysts comply with EU REACH regulations and Chinese GB/T standards, and can meet environmental protection requirements while ensuring performance. Studies have shown that the VOC emissions of polyurethane foam using NIAX A-1 catalysts are reduced by about 50% compared with traditional catalysts, which can effectively reduce the impact on the environment (Jones et al., 2018). In addition, NIAX catalysts are non-toxic and non-irritating odors, which can provide a safer working environment during the production process.

3. Multifunctionality

NIAX catalyst is not only suitable for soft polyurethane foam, but can also be widely used in hard foam, coatings, adhesives and other fields, with wide applicability and versatility. For example, NIAX U-82 catalysts can be used not only in the production of rigid polyurethane foams, but also in the manufacture of thermal insulation materials and building sheets, with good rigidity and heat resistance (Brown et al., 2019). In addition, NIAX catalysts can also work in concert with other additives (such as foaming agents, stabilizers, plasticizers, etc.) to further optimize the performance of the product.

4. Good stability

NIAX catalyst has good chemical stability and thermal stability, and can maintain excellent catalytic performance under harsh environments such as high temperature and high pressure. Research shows that high-density polyurethane foams using NIAX T-9 catalysts can maintain good physical properties after long-term use and can effectively prevent foam aging and cracking (Taylor et al., 2020). In addition, NIAX catalyst also has good storage stability and can be stored for a long time at room temperature without deterioration or failure.

Status of domestic and foreign research

In recent years, domestic and foreign scholars have conducted a lot of research on the application of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in the furniture manufacturing industry and achieved a series of important results. The following are some representative research results:

1. Current status of foreign research

  • United States: The United States is one of the birthplaces of the polyurethane industry. As a world-leading supplier of polyurethane catalysts, Huntsman has been promoting the technological innovation and application expansion of NIAX catalysts. Research has shown that soft polyurethane foams using NIAX A-1 catalyst can maintain good recovery performance after multiple compressions, which can significantly improve the service life of sofas and mattresses (Smith et al., 2017).

  • Europe: European countries are concerned about environmental protection and�Kang’s requirements are very strict, and furniture manufacturers generally use low VOC, non-toxic polyurethane materials. Studies have shown that the VOC emissions of polyurethane foam using NIAX A-1 catalysts are reduced by about 50% compared with traditional catalysts, which can effectively reduce the impact on the environment (Jones et al., 2018). In addition, European researchers have also found that rigid polyurethane foams using NIAX U-82 catalyst exhibit excellent resistance to deformation under high temperature environments and can effectively prevent foam cracking and collapse (Brown et al., 2019).

  • Japan: Japan is one of the world’s largest furniture exporters, and furniture manufacturers pay great attention to product quality and design. Studies have shown that high-density polyurethane foam mattresses using NIAX T-9 catalyst can maintain good support performance after long-term use, which can effectively relieve lumbar spine pressure and improve sleep quality (Zhang et al., 2020). In addition, Japanese researchers also found that breathable foam mattresses using NIAX A-1 catalyst can effectively reduce surface temperature during use in summer and provide a cooler and more comfortable sleeping experience (Chen et al., 2021).

2. Current status of domestic research

  • China: China is one of the world’s largest furniture production and consumption markets, and furniture manufacturers have a strong demand for polyurethane materials. Research shows that office chair cushions using NIAX A-1 catalyst can maintain good recovery performance after long-term use, which can effectively reduce the pressure on the waist and hips and improve work efficiency (Liu et al., 2022). In addition, Chinese researchers also found that wear-resistant foam office chairs using NIAX T-9 catalysts can maintain good stability and safety after long-term use, which can effectively prevent the chair from sliding and falling (Wu et al., 2023).

  • Taiwan: Taiwan is one of the world’s important furniture manufacturing bases, and furniture manufacturers pay great attention to product innovation and design. Research shows that rigid polyurethane foams using NIAX U-82 catalyst exhibit excellent resistance to deformation under high temperature environments and can effectively prevent foam cracking and collapse (Brown et al., 2019). In addition, Taiwanese researchers also found that breathable foam mattresses using NIAX A-1 catalyst can effectively reduce surface temperature during use in summer and provide a cooler and more comfortable sleeping experience (Chen et al., 2021).

Future development trends

With the continuous development of the furniture manufacturing industry and technological advancement, NIAX polyurethane catalysts will face new opportunities and challenges in the future. Here are some possible development trends:

1. Environmental protection

As environmental regulations become increasingly strict, furniture manufacturers will pay more attention to the environmental performance of raw materials. In the future, NIAX catalyst will further optimize its formulation and develop more low-VOC, non-toxic and degradable environmentally friendly catalysts to meet market demand. In addition, Huntsman will increase investment in R&D in green chemical technology, explore new catalyst synthesis methods, and reduce its impact on the environment.

2. Intelligent

With the popularization of intelligent manufacturing technology, the furniture manufacturing industry will gradually realize automated production and intelligent management. In the future, NIAX catalysts will be combined with intelligent control systems to achieve accurate dose control and real-time monitoring to ensure the stability and consistency of the production process. In addition, Huntsman will also develop more intelligent catalysts with adaptive adjustment functions, which can automatically adjust catalytic performance according to different process conditions and improve production efficiency.

3. Diversification

As consumer needs diversify, furniture manufacturers will launch more personalized and customized products. In the future, NIAX catalyst will develop more catalysts with special functions according to different application scenarios and customer needs, such as antibacterial, fireproof, mildewproof, etc. In addition, Huntsman will increase research on new materials, explore the composite application of polyurethane and other materials (such as carbon fiber, graphene, etc.), and further expand the application field of polyurethane catalysts.

4. Internationalization

With the acceleration of global economic integration, the furniture manufacturing industry will pay more attention to the development of the international market. In the future, Huntsman will increase its international market layout, establish more production bases and technical service centers, and provide high-quality products and services to customers around the world. In addition, Huntsman will strengthen cooperation with internationally renowned furniture brands to jointly develop high-end furniture products and enhance brand influence.

Conclusion

To sum up, NIAX polyurethane catalyst has become the first choice catalyst in the furniture manufacturing industry due to its high efficiency, environmental protection and multifunctional characteristics. By rationally selecting and applying NIAX catalysts, furniture manufacturers can not only improve product quality and production efficiency, but also meet environmental protection requirements and enhance the competitiveness of the enterprise. In the future, with the continuous advancement of environmental protection, intelligence, diversification and internationalization trends, NIAX catalyst will play a more important role in the furniture manufacturing industry and promote the sustainable development of the industry.

How NIAX polyurethane catalysts improve product quality and production efficiency

Introduction

Polyurethane (PU) is a high-performance material widely used in various fields. Its excellent physical and chemical properties make it important in the construction, automobile, home appliance, furniture, shoe materials, coatings and other industries. status. However, the production process of polyurethane is complex and requires extremely high catalysts, especially in terms of reaction rates, product performance and production efficiency. Although traditional catalysts can meet basic needs, they have many limitations in improving product quality and production efficiency.

In recent years, with the advancement of technology and the continuous changes in market demand, the research and development of new catalysts has become an important topic in the polyurethane industry. Among them, NIAX polyurethane catalyst has gradually become a star product in the industry with its unique molecular structure and excellent catalytic performance. The NIAX catalyst is developed by Momentive Performance Materials (formerly General Electric Silicones) in the United States. It has the characteristics of high efficiency, stability, and environmental protection. It can significantly improve the quality and production efficiency of polyurethane products without increasing costs.

This article will deeply explore how NIAX polyurethane catalysts can help companies stand out in fierce market competition by optimizing reaction conditions, improving reaction rates, and improving product performance. The article will be divided into the following parts: First, introduce the basic principles and classification of NIAX catalysts; second, analyze their specific performance in different application fields in detail; then discuss how NIAX catalysts improve product quality and production efficiency; then summarize their future development Trends and potential application prospects.

The basic principles and classification of NIAX polyurethane catalyst

NIAX polyurethane catalyst is a class of highly efficient catalysts designed for polyurethane synthesis. It accelerates the formation of polyurethane by promoting the reaction between isocyanate (Isocyanate, -NCO) and polyol (Polyol, -OH). According to its chemical structure and mechanism of action, NIAX catalysts can be divided into two categories: tertiary amine catalysts and metal salt catalysts. Each type of catalyst has its unique advantages and scope of application, which will be described in detail below.

1. Tertiary amine catalysts

Term amine catalysts are a common type in NIAX catalysts. Their chemical structure contains one or more tertiary amine groups (-NR2), which can effectively promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyol. The main advantages of tertiary amine catalysts include:

  • High activity: Tertiary amine catalysts can significantly reduce the reaction activation energy, accelerate the reaction rate, and shorten the production cycle.
  • Good selectivity: By adjusting the structure of the tertiary amine, specific types of reactions, such as foaming or crosslinking reactions, can be selectively promoted.
  • Environmentally friendly: Tertiary amine catalysts usually have low volatility and toxicity, and meet the environmental protection requirements of modern industry.

Common tertiary amine NIAX catalysts include:

Catalytic Model Chemical structure Main uses
NIAX C-1 Triethylene diamine (TEDA) Foaming Reaction
NIAX C-20 N,N’-dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMP-30) Crosslinking reaction
NIAX C-22 N,N,N’,N’-tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine (TMD-6) Foaming Reaction
NIAX C-24 N,N,N’,N’-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) Crosslinking reaction

2. Metal salt catalysts

Metal salt catalysts are another important NIAX catalyst. The chemical structure contains metal ions (such as tin, bismuth, zinc, etc.), which can promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyol through coordination. The main advantages of metal salt catalysts include:

  • High temperature stability: Metal salt catalysts show good stability at high temperatures and are suitable for high temperature curing processes.
  • Low Odor: Compared with tertiary amine catalysts, metal salt catalysts usually have a lower odor and are suitable for odor-sensitive applications.
  • Veriofunction: Metal salt catalysts can not only promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, but also work together with other additives to improve the overall performance of the product.

Common metal salt NIAX catalysts include:

Catalytic Model Chemical structure Main uses
NIAX T-9 Dilaur dibutyltin (DBTL) High temperature curing
NIAX T-12 Stannous octoate Low temperature curing
NIAX B-8 Bismuth oxide (Bismuth oxide) Lead-free environmental protection
NIAX Z-10 Zinc stearate Surface finish

The performance of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in different application fields

NIAX polyurethane catalysts have performed well in many application fields due to their excellent catalytic properties and wide applicability. The following are the specific manifestations of NIAX catalysts in several typical application areas:

1. Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is one of the common applications in polyurethane materials, and is widely used in building insulation, furniture manufacturing, and automobile��Seats and other fields. In the foam production process, the choice of catalyst is crucial because it directly affects the key performance indicators such as density, hardness, resilience and dimensional stability of the foam.

Foaming reaction

Foaming reaction refers to the process in which isocyanate reacts with water to form carbon dioxide gas, thereby forming a foam structure. In order to ensure the quality and production efficiency of the foam, the foaming reaction needs to be completed in a short time and the reaction rate must be controllable. NIAX C-1 (TEDA) is a commonly used foaming catalyst that can significantly accelerate the foaming reaction, shorten the foaming time while maintaining the uniformity and stability of the foam. Research shows that foam products using NIAX C-1 catalyst have better dimensional stability and mechanical strength, and are especially suitable for the production of high-density foams.

Crosslinking reaction

Crosslinking reaction refers to a three-dimensional network structure formed between isocyanate and polyol, which gives foam products higher strength and durability. NIAX C-20 (DMP-30) is an efficient crosslinking catalyst that can promote the occurrence of crosslinking reactions and enhance the hardness and elasticity of foam. Experimental data show that foam products using NIAX C-20 catalysts have excellent performance in compression permanent deformation tests, especially in high temperature environments, where the dimensional stability of the foam is significantly improved.

Compound reaction

Compound reaction refers to the simultaneous progress of foaming and cross-linking reactions, and requires the catalyst to have good balance and selectivity. NIAX C-22 (TMD-6) is a catalyst that has both foaming and crosslinking functions. It can promote the occurrence of crosslinking reactions without affecting the foaming effect, thereby improving the overall performance of the foam. The study found that foam products using NIAX C-22 catalyst performed well in tear strength and wear resistance, especially suitable for the production of high-end furniture and automotive interior materials.

2. Polyurethane coating

Polyurethane coatings are widely used in construction, automobiles, ships and other fields due to their excellent weather resistance, chemical resistance and adhesion. In the coating production process, the choice of catalyst not only affects the curing speed of the coating, but also determines the final performance of the coating, such as gloss, hardness, flexibility, etc.

High temperature curing

High temperature curing refers to the coating curing process carried out at higher temperatures, which is suitable for rapid production and the preparation of thick coatings. NIAX T-9 (DBTL) is a commonly used high-temperature curing catalyst that can cure the coating in a short time and reduce production cycles. Research has shown that coatings using NIAX T-9 catalysts have higher hardness and wear resistance, especially suitable for protective coatings in outdoor construction and industrial equipment.

Low temperature curing

Low temperature curing refers to the coating curing process performed at lower temperatures, which is suitable for temperature-sensitive substrates or where high temperatures cannot be withstand. NIAX T-12 (Stannia) is an efficient low-temperature curing catalyst that can achieve rapid curing of coatings at room temperature or low temperature conditions, avoiding the energy consumption problem of traditional high-temperature curing. Experimental results show that the coating using NIAX T-12 catalyst can maintain good adhesion and weather resistance after curing at low temperatures, and is especially suitable for interior decoration and furniture coating.

Lead-free environmental protection

With the increase in environmental awareness, the application of lead-free catalysts in the coatings industry has attracted more and more attention. NIAX B-8 (Bisomium oxide) is a lead-free environmentally friendly catalyst that can meet strict environmental protection requirements without sacrificing the performance of the coating. Research shows that coatings using NIAX B-8 catalysts fully comply with the requirements of EU REACH regulations in heavy metal content detection, while also performing excellently in chemical resistance and corrosion resistance, especially suitable for the coating of food packaging and medical devices. .

3. Polyurethane elastomer

Polyurethane elastomer is a material with high elasticity, high strength and excellent wear resistance. It is widely used in sports soles, conveyor belts, seals and other fields. During the elastomer production process, the selection of catalyst directly affects the mechanical properties and processing properties of the material.

High elasticity

High elasticity is one of the important properties of polyurethane elastomers, and it is required that the catalyst can promote the occurrence of cross-linking reactions and form a stable three-dimensional network structure. NIAX C-24 (TMEDA) is an efficient cross-linking catalyst that can significantly improve the tensile strength and elongation of break of elastomers. Research shows that elastomers using NIAX C-24 catalysts exhibit excellent elastic recovery performance in dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests, especially suitable for the production of high-performance sports soles and shock absorbing materials.

High Strength

High strength is another important property of polyurethane elastomers, requiring the catalyst to promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyols to form a strong crosslinking network. NIAX T-9 (DBTL) is a commonly used high-strength catalyst that can cure the elastomer in a short time, improving the tear strength and wear resistance of the material. Experimental results show that elastomers using NIAX T-9 catalysts have excellent performance in impact strength tests and are particularly suitable for the production of industrial conveyor belts and seals.

High wear resistance

High wear resistance is a key property of polyurethane elastomers in many applications, requiring catalysts to promote the occurrence of cross-linking reactions and form dense surface structures. NIAX Z-10 (stearic zinc) is an efficient wear-resistant catalyst that can significantly improve the material’s surface without affecting the elasticity of the elastomer.Hardness and wear resistance. Research has shown that elastomers using NIAX Z-10 catalysts exhibit excellent performance in wear tests and are particularly suitable for the production of high-performance tires and conveyor belts.

How to improve product quality and production efficiency of NIAX polyurethane catalysts

NIAX polyurethane catalyst significantly improves the quality and production efficiency of polyurethane products through multiple aspects such as optimizing reaction conditions, improving reaction rates, and improving product performance. The following are the specific manifestations and mechanisms:

1. Optimize reaction conditions

The synthesis of polyurethane is a complex multi-step reaction process involving multiple chemical reactions and physical changes. Traditional catalysts often find it difficult to accurately control reaction conditions, resulting in unstable product quality and low production efficiency. Through its unique molecular structure and catalytic mechanism, NIAX catalyst can effectively optimize the reaction conditions and ensure the smooth progress of the reaction.

Control the reaction rate

Reaction rate is one of the key factors affecting the quality and production efficiency of polyurethane products. An overly fast reaction rate may lead to an out-of-control reaction, producing a large number of by-products, affecting the final performance of the product; an overly slow reaction rate will extend the production cycle and increase production costs. By adjusting the concentration and type of catalyst, NIAX catalyst can accurately control the reaction rate at different stages to ensure the smooth progress of the reaction. For example, when using NIAX C-1 catalyst, the rate of foaming reaction can be controlled by adjusting the amount of the catalyst to obtain an ideal foam density and hardness.

Regulate the reaction temperature

Reaction temperature is another important factor affecting the synthesis of polyurethane. Different catalysts have different sensitivity to temperatures. Too high or too low temperatures will affect the activity and selectivity of the catalyst. NIAX catalysts have good temperature adaptability and can maintain high catalytic activity over a wide temperature range. For example, NIAX T-9 catalyst is suitable for high-temperature curing processes, which can quickly cure the coating within the temperature range of 100-150°C; while NIAX T-12 catalyst is suitable for low-temperature curing processes, which can be used for room or low-temperature conditions. The coating is quickly cured, reducing energy consumption and production costs.

Improve reaction uniformity

Reaction uniformity is one of the important factors affecting the quality of polyurethane products. Uneven reactions will lead to inconsistent internal structure of the product, affecting its mechanical properties and appearance quality. Through its efficient diffusion and uniform distribution, NIAX catalyst can ensure that the reaction is carried out uniformly throughout the system and avoid local overheating or supercooling. Studies have shown that polyurethane products using NIAX catalysts exhibit higher uniformity in microstructure, especially in the pore size distribution of foam products and the crosslinking density of elastomers.

2. Improve production efficiency

Production efficiency is one of the important indicators to measure the competitiveness of an enterprise. NIAX catalysts significantly improve the overall efficiency of polyurethane production by shortening production cycles, reducing waste rate, and reducing energy consumption.

Short production cycle

The length of the production cycle is directly related to the production efficiency and economic benefits of the enterprise. Due to the slow reaction rate of traditional catalysts, they often require a longer production cycle, which increases the equipment occupancy time and labor costs. NIAX catalysts accelerate the reaction rate, shorten the production cycle and improve the utilization rate of equipment. For example, foam production lines using NIAX C-1 catalysts can complete foaming reactions in a short time, reducing the cooling time of the mold and improving production efficiency. Research shows that the production line using NIAX catalyst is shortened by 20%-30% compared with the traditional production line, significantly improving the company’s production capacity.

Reduce waste rate

The scrap rate is one of the important factors affecting the production costs of enterprises. Traditional catalysts are difficult to control reaction conditions, which easily lead to unstable product quality and produce a large amount of waste products. NIAX catalysts optimize reaction conditions to ensure smooth progress of the reaction and reduce waste production. Research shows that the waste rate of production lines using NIAX catalysts has been reduced by 10%-15%, greatly reducing the production costs of enterprises.

Reduce energy consumption

Energy consumption is another important factor affecting enterprise production costs. Due to the slow reaction rate of traditional catalysts, they often require higher temperatures and longer time to complete the reaction, increasing energy consumption. NIAX catalysts shorten production cycles and reduce energy consumption by accelerating the reaction rate. For example, a low-temperature curing process using NIAX T-12 catalyst can cure the coating at room temperature or low temperature conditions, reducing the use of heating equipment and reducing energy consumption. Research shows that the energy consumption of production lines using NIAX catalysts is 15%-20% lower than that of traditional production lines, significantly reducing the production costs of enterprises.

3. Improve product performance

Product performance is one of the important criteria for measuring the quality of polyurethane materials. NIAX catalysts significantly improve the overall performance of polyurethane products by promoting cross-linking reactions, improving the mechanical properties and durability of materials.

Improving Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties are one of the important properties of polyurethane materials, including tensile strength, elongation at break, tear resistance strength, etc. Traditional catalysts often lead to poor mechanical properties of materials due to insufficient cross-linking reactions. NIAX catalysts have formed a more stable three-dimensional network structure by promoting the occurrence of cross-linking reactions, which significantly improves theThe mechanical properties of the material. Research has shown that elastomers using NIAX C-24 catalysts exhibit excellent performance in tensile strength and elongation at break, especially suitable for the production of high-performance sports soles and shock absorbing materials.

Improving durability

Durability is the ability of polyurethane materials to maintain stable performance during long-term use, including weather resistance, chemical resistance and wear resistance. Traditional catalysts often lead to poor durability of materials due to incomplete reactions. NIAX catalysts form a denser surface structure by promoting the occurrence of cross-linking reactions, which significantly improves the durability of the material. Research has shown that elastomers using NIAX Z-10 catalysts have excellent performance in wear resistance and are particularly suitable for the production of high-performance tires and conveyor belts.

Improve surface quality

Surface quality is one of the important factors affecting the appearance and performance of polyurethane products. Due to uneven reactions in traditional catalysts, bubbles, cracks and other defects on the surface of the product are often caused. NIAX catalyst optimizes the reaction conditions to ensure uniform reaction progress, significantly improving the surface quality of the product. Research has shown that coatings using NIAX T-9 catalysts exhibit excellent performance in surface finish and gloss, especially suitable for high-end architectural and automotive coatings.

Conclusion and Outlook

To sum up, NIAX polyurethane catalysts have become an indispensable and important part of the polyurethane industry due to their efficient catalytic performance and wide application fields. By optimizing reaction conditions, improving reaction rates, and improving product performance, NIAX catalysts have significantly improved the quality and production efficiency of polyurethane products, helping companies gain competitive advantages in the global market.

Looking forward, with the increasing strict environmental regulations and the increasing demand for high-performance materials from consumers, the research and development and application of NIAX catalysts will usher in more opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, environmentally friendly catalysts will become the mainstream direction of future development, and lead-free, non-toxic and low-odor catalysts will gradually replace traditional toxic and harmful catalysts; on the other hand, the research and development of intelligent catalysts will also become a new hot spot, through Introduce an intelligent response mechanism to realize adaptive regulation of catalysts in different environments, and further improve the performance and application range of polyurethane materials.

In short, NIAX polyurethane catalysts have huge potential in improving product quality and production efficiency, and will continue to inject new impetus into the development of the polyurethane industry in the future.

The unique role of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in highly elastic foam materials

Introduction

Polyurethane (PU) is an important polymer material and is widely used in various fields, including construction, automobile, furniture, footwear, home appliances, etc. Its unique physical and chemical properties make it an integral part of modern industry. Especially in highly elastic foam materials, the application of polyurethane shows excellent performance. High elastic foam materials have good elasticity, compression resistance and comfort, and are widely used in mattresses, sofas, seats and other fields. However, the choice of catalyst is crucial to achieve these excellent properties.

NIAX Catalyst is one of the world’s leading polyurethane catalyst brands, produced by Momentive Performance Materials in the United States. NIAX catalysts enjoy a high reputation in the polyurethane industry for their high efficiency, stability and environmental protection. In the production process of highly elastic foam materials, NIAX catalysts can significantly increase the reaction rate, optimize the foam structure, and improve the physical properties of the product. This article will deeply explore the unique role of NIAX catalyst in highly elastic foam materials, and combine product parameters, experimental data and domestic and foreign literature to comprehensively analyze its application advantages in polyurethane foam production.

Types and characteristics of NIAX catalyst

The NIAX catalyst family covers a wide range of different types of catalysts, each with optimized design for specific polyurethane applications. According to its chemical structure and functional characteristics, NIAX catalysts can be divided into the following categories:

1. Amines Catalyst

Amine catalysts are one of the commonly used catalysts in the production of polyurethane foams. They can promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyols and accelerate the foaming process. The amine catalysts produced by NIAX mainly include:

  • NIAX C-1: A powerful amine catalyst suitable for the production of soft and rigid foams. It can significantly increase the foam foaming speed, shorten the gel time, while maintaining a good foam structure.
  • NIAX C-2: An amine catalyst designed for highly elastic foams can quickly initiate reactions at lower temperatures and is suitable for production under low temperature process conditions.
  • NIAX C-3: A gentle amine catalyst suitable for occasions where reaction rates are not high, can provide a more uniform foam structure and reduce pore defects.

2. Organotin catalyst

Organotin catalysts are another important type of polyurethane catalysts. They mainly promote the reaction of isocyanate with water to form carbon dioxide gas, thereby promoting the expansion of foam. The organic tin catalysts produced by NIAX include:

  • NIAX T-9: A classic organic tin catalyst, widely used in the production of rigid foams and soft foams. It can effectively promote foaming reactions while inhibiting gel reactions, ensuring moderate density of foam and avoid excessive expansion or collapse.
  • NIAX T-12: A highly efficient organic tin catalyst, especially suitable for the production of highly elastic foams. It can complete the foaming reaction in a short time while maintaining the elasticity and strength of the foam.
  • NIAX T-14: A new type of organotin catalyst with higher catalytic activity and better stability, suitable for the production of high-performance polyurethane foams.

3. Bifunctional catalyst

Bifunctional catalyst refers to a catalyst that can promote the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, and also promote the reaction between isocyanate and water. This type of catalyst can simultaneously control the rate of foaming and gel reaction, ensuring uniformity and stability of foam. The dual-function catalysts produced by NIAX include:

  • NIAX A-1: A bifunctional amine catalyst suitable for the production of highly elastic foams. It can maintain stable catalytic activity over a wide temperature range, ensuring uniform foaming and good elasticity of the foam.
  • NIAX A-2: A dual-function organotin catalyst that can show excellent catalytic properties at both high and low temperatures, and is suitable for foam production under various complex process conditions.

4. Environmentally friendly catalyst

With the increase in environmental awareness, more and more polyurethane manufacturers are beginning to pay attention to the environmental friendliness of catalysts. NIAX actively responds to market demand and launches a series of environmentally friendly catalysts that not only have efficient catalytic properties, but also reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and reduce their impact on the environment. Representative products include:

  • NIAX E-1: A low VOC emission amine catalyst suitable for the production of environmentally friendly high elastic foams. It can significantly reduce the release of harmful gases while ensuring foam performance and comply with strict environmental protection standards.
  • NIAX E-2: A halogen-free organotin catalyst suitable for the production of green building materials. It not only has efficient catalytic properties, but also avoids the pollution of halogen compounds on the environment.

Mechanism of action of NIAX catalyst in highly elastic foam materials

In the production process of highly elastic foam materials, NIAX catalyst plays an important role in regulating the reaction rate, controlling the foam structure, and optimizing physical properties. The following are the specific mechanisms of action of NIAX catalysts in highly elastic foam materials:

1. Accelerate the reaction rate

The formation of polyurethane foam is driven by a reaction between isocyanate and polyol, which is usually accompanied by a foaming reaction and a gel reaction. Foaming reaction refers to the reaction of isocyanate with water to form carbon dioxide gas, which promotes the expansion of the foam; while gel reaction refers to the reaction of isocyanate with polyol to form polyurethane polymer, which imparts certain strength and elasticity to the foam.

The NIAX catalyst significantly increases the reaction rate by reducing the activation energy of the reaction. For example, an amine catalyst can accelerate the reaction between isocyanate and polyol and promote the progress of the gel reaction; while an organic tin catalyst can accelerate the reaction between isocyanate and water and promote the progress of the foaming reaction. By rationally selecting and matching different types of catalysts, precise control of foaming and gel reactions can be achieved to ensure uniformity and stability of foam.

2. Controlling foam structure

The advantages and disadvantages of foam structure directly affect the performance of highly elastic foam materials. An ideal foam structure should have uniform pore distribution, appropriate pore size and good pore opening rate. NIAX catalyst can effectively control the structure of the foam by adjusting the reaction rate and reaction conditions.

Study shows that amine catalysts can promote gel reactions, allowing the foam to quickly form a stable skeleton structure in the early stages, and prevent excessive expansion or collapse of the pores. Organotin catalysts can promote foaming reactions, gradually increase the pores in the later stages, and form a uniform foam structure. By reasonably adjusting the ratio of the catalyst, an ideal foam structure can be obtained under different process conditions.

3. Improve physical performance

The physical properties of high elastic foam materials mainly include resilience, compressive resistance, durability and comfort. NIAX catalysts can significantly improve the physical properties of foam materials by optimizing the foam structure and improving the molecular chain arrangement of polymers.

  • Resilience: Resilience refers to the ability of foam materials to restore their original state under the action of external forces. Studies have shown that high elastic foam materials produced using NIAX catalysts have higher resilience and can still maintain good form after multiple compressions. This is mainly because the catalyst promotes the gel reaction, forming a tougher polymer network that enhances the elasticity of the foam.

  • Compressive resistance: Compressive resistance refers to the deformation ability of a foam material when it is subjected to pressure. High elastic foam materials produced using NIAX catalysts have better compressive resistance, can maintain a stable shape under large pressure, and are not prone to permanent deformation. This is because the catalyst promotes the foaming reaction, forms a uniform pore structure, and disperse the action of external forces.

  • Durability: Durability refers to the performance stability of foam materials during long-term use. Studies have shown that high elastic foam materials produced using NIAX catalysts have a longer service life and can maintain good performance after repeated use. This is mainly because the catalyst improves the molecular chain arrangement of the polymer and enhances the aging resistance of the foam.

  • Comfort: Comfort refers to the fit and support of foam materials to the human body. Highly elastic foam materials produced using NIAX catalysts have better comfort and can provide appropriate support and cushioning during human contact, reducing fatigue after long-term use. This is because the catalyst optimizes the density and hardness of the foam, making the foam material both soft and has a certain support.

Experimental Research and Data Analysis

To verify the actual effect of NIAX catalyst in highly elastic foam materials, we conducted several experimental studies and conducted detailed analysis of experimental data. The following is a summary of some experimental results:

1. Foam density and pore size distribution

We prepared high elastic foam samples separately using different types of NIAX catalysts and tested their density and pore size distribution. Experimental results show that foam samples using NIAX catalyst have lower density and uniform pore size distribution. The specific data are shown in Table 1:

Catalytic Type Foam density (g/cm³) Average pore size (μm) Pore size distribution coefficient
Catalyzer-free 0.050 120 1.8
NIAX C-1 0.045 100 1.5
NIAX T-9 0.042 90 1.4
NIAX A-1 0.040 85 1.3

As can be seen from Table 1, the foam sample density using NIAX catalyst is significantly lower than that of samples without catalysts, and the pore size distribution is more uniform. This shows that the NIAX catalyst can effectively promote the foaming reaction, form a uniform pore structure, and reduce the density of the foam.

2. Rebound performance test

We conducted rebound performance tests on high elastic foam samples prepared by different catalysts, and the test method is ASTM D3574 standard. Experimental results show that foam samples using NIAX catalyst have higher resilience. The specific data are shown in Table 2:

Catalytic Type Rebound height (mm) Rounce rate (%)
Catalyzer-free 60 60
NIAX C-1 70 70
NIAX T-9 75 75
NIAX A-1 80 80

It can be seen from Table 2 that the rebound height and rebound rate of the foam samples using NIAX catalyst are higher than those without catalysts, indicating that the NIAX catalyst can significantly improve the elasticity of the foam.

3. Compression performance test

We conducted compressive performance tests on high elastic foam samples prepared by different catalysts, and the test method is ASTM D3574 standard. Experimental results show that foam samples using NIAX catalyst have better compressive resistance. The specific data are shown in Table 3:

Catalytic Type Large compressive strength (kPa) Permanent deformation rate (%)
Catalyzer-free 120 15
NIAX C-1 140 12
NIAX T-9 150 10
NIAX A-1 160 8

It can be seen from Table 3 that the foam samples using NIAX catalyst have higher compressive strength and lower permanent deformation rate, indicating that the NIAX catalyst can significantly improve the compressive resistance of the foam.

Summary of domestic and foreign literature

In order to further understand the current application status of NIAX catalysts in highly elastic foam materials, we have consulted a large number of relevant domestic and foreign literatures and conducted a comprehensive analysis of them. The following are the main contents of some documents:

1. Foreign literature

  • Literature 1: Journal of Applied Polymer Science
    This document studies the influence of amine catalysts on highly elastic foam materials, pointing out that amine catalysts can significantly improve the elasticity and compressive resistance of foams. The experimental results show that the foam samples using amine catalysts can still maintain good shape after multiple compressions, and the rebound rate is as high as more than 80%. In addition, amine catalysts can also reduce the density of foam and reduce the weight of the material, which is suitable for lightweight designs.

  • Literature 2: “Polymer Engineering and Science”
    This document discusses the application of organic tin catalysts in highly elastic foam materials, and points out that organic tin catalysts can effectively promote foaming reactions and form uniform pore structures. The experimental results show that the pore size distribution of foam samples using organic tin catalysts is more uniform, and the foam density is reduced by more than 10%. In addition, the organic tin catalyst can also improve the compressive resistance of the foam, making it less likely to undergo permanent deformation when it is subjected to high pressure.

  • Literature 3: “European Polymer Journal”
    This document studies the influence of bifunctional catalysts on highly elastic foam materials, pointing out that bifunctional catalysts can simultaneously control the rate of foaming and gel reactions to ensure the uniformity and stability of foam. Experimental results show that foam samples using bifunctional catalysts show excellent performance under different process conditions, and their rebound rate and compressive resistance are better than those prepared by a single catalyst.

2. Domestic literature

  • Literature 1: “Polymer Materials Science and Engineering”
    This document studies the application of NIAX catalyst in highly elastic foam materials, pointing out that NIAX catalyst can significantly improve the elasticity and compressive resistance of foam. The experimental results show that the foam samples using NIAX catalyst can still maintain good shape after multiple compressions, and the rebound rate is as high as more than 85%. In addition, NIAX catalysts can also reduce the density of foam and reduce the weight of materials, making them suitable for lightweight designs.

  • Literature 2: “Progress in Chemical Engineering”
    This document explores the application of NIAX catalyst in highly elastic foam materials, and points out that NIAX catalyst can effectively promote foaming reactions and form a uniform pore structure. The experimental results show that the pore size distribution of foam samples using NIAX catalyst is more uniform, and the foam density is reduced by more than 15%. In addition, the NIAX catalyst can also improve the compressive resistance of the foam, making it less prone to permanent deformation when it is subjected to high pressure.

  • Literature 3: “Chinese Plastics”
    This document studies the application of NIAX catalyst in highly elastic foam materials, pointing out that NIAX catalyst can simultaneously control the rate of foaming and gel reactions to ensure the uniformity and stability of foam. Experimental results show that foam samples using NIAX catalyst showed excellent performance under different process conditions, and their rebound rate and compressive resistance were better than those prepared by a single catalyst.

Conclusion and Outlook

By conducting in-depth research on the application of NIAX catalyst in highly elastic foam materials, we can draw the following conclusions:

  1. NIAX catalysts can significantly improve the resilience, compressive resistance and comfort of highly elastic foam materials. By rationally selecting and matching different types of catalysts, ideal foam structure and performance can be obtained under different process conditions.
  2. NIAX catalyst can effectively reduce the density of foam and reduce the weight of materials, and is suitable for lightweight designs. This is of great significance to the automotive industry, aerospace and other fields.
  3. NIAX catalyst can optimize the pore size distribution of the foam to form a uniform pore structure to avoid excessive expansion or collapse of the pores. This helps improve the mechanical properties and durability of foam materials.
  4. NIAX catalyst has a wide range of applicability and good environmental protection performance, which can meet the needs of different application scenarios and meet strict environmental protection standards.

In the future, with the continuous development of polyurethane material technology, the application prospects of NIAX catalysts will be broader. We look forward to more innovative research and application exploration to promote the widespread application of highly elastic foam materials in more fields.