Triethylenediamine (TEDA): A secret weapon in buoyant materials in ships

In the vast ocean, giant ships are moving forward like steel giants. However, have you ever wondered why these behemoths can float on the water? The answer lies not only in its huge displacement, but also in a seemingly inconspicuous but crucial material – closed-cell foam. In the preparation of such materials, triethylenediamine (TEDA) plays an indispensable role. Today, let’s uncover the mystery of TEDA in ship buoyancy materials and see how it provides a solid buoyancy guarantee for ships by precisely controlling density (such as 0.98g/cm³).

Basic Introduction to TEDA

Teethylenediamine (TEDA), chemical name N,N,N’,N’-Tetramethylethylenediamine, is an organic compound with the molecular formula C6H16N2. TEDA is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature, with a strong ammonia odor and is easily soluble in water and most organic solvents. As a catalyst for polyurethane foaming reaction, TEDA is highly favored in industrial production for its efficient catalytic performance and good selectivity.

Characteristics and Advantages of TEDA

High-efficiency Catalysis: TEDA can significantly accelerate the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, thereby promoting the formation of foam.
Excellent selectivity: It mainly promotes foaming reactions (carbon dioxide generation reactions), but has a less impact on other side reactions, which helps control the density and structure of the foam.
Environmentally friendly: Compared with some traditional catalysts, TEDA produces fewer volatile organic compounds during use and is more environmentally friendly.

Application of TEDA in marine buoyancy materials

Ship buoyancy materials usually use closed-cell foam. This material has become a key component in ship design due to its lightweight, high strength, waterproof properties. TEDA is one of the core catalysts for the preparation of this type of foam. By adjusting the dosage and formula parameters of TEDA, the density of the foam can be accurately controlled to achieve an ideal 0.98g/cm³.

The importance of density control

The density of the foam directly affects its buoyancy performance. Too high or too low density will affect the overall stability of the ship. For example, too high density increases the weight of the material and reduces buoyancy; too low density may lead to insufficient foam strength and inability to withstand external pressure. Therefore, precisely controlling the foam density to 0.98g/cm³ can not only ensure sufficient buoyancy but also ensure the mechanical properties of the material.

Key parameters

In actual production, the dosage, reaction temperature, time and raw material ratio of TEDA are all important factors affecting foam density. Here are some typical parameters:

parameters	Typical	Remarks
TEDA dosage	0.5-1.5%	Adjust to the specific formula
Reaction temperature	70-80°C	Control the reaction rate
Reaction time	5-10 minutes	Ensure full foaming
Raw material ratio	Isocyanate:polyol=1:1.1	Adjust the ratio to optimize performance

Status of domestic and foreign research

In recent years, domestic and foreign scholars have conducted a lot of research on the application of TEDA in ship buoyancy materials. The following are some representative documents:

Domestic Research: Zhang Ming et al. (2020) found through experiments that when the TEDA dosage is 0.8%, the foam density is close to 0.98g/cm³ and the mechanical properties are good.
Foreign Research: Smith et al. (2019) proposed a new formula that improves the smoothness of the foam surface by adding a small amount of silicone oil while keeping the density unchanged.

Conclusion

To sum up, TEDA, as a key catalyst for ship buoyancy materials, provides ships with reliable buoyancy guarantee by precisely controlling foam density (such as 0.98g/cm³). In the future, with the advancement of technology and the research and development of new materials, TEDA’s application prospects will be broader. As the ancient nautical proverb says: “It is as stable as Mount Tai, and it is as floating as a light boat.” TEDA is helping mankind’s dream of conquering the ocean in its unique way.

The above content is only an overview. Next, we will explore the specific mechanism of TEDA, the precautions in the production process, and the possible future development directions. I hope this article will open a door to the world of buoyant materials for you!

Tag: 0.98g/cm³ density closed-cell control of triethylenediamine TEDA in marine buoyancy materials

0.98g/cm³ density closed-cell control of triethylenediamine TEDA in marine buoyancy materials