admin – Page 103 – Pu catalyst

ensuring consistent and reliable polyurethane curing with dabco 33lv

ensuring consistent and reliable polyurethane curing with dabco 33lv
by dr. alan reed – polymer chemist & foam whisperer
🛠️🔬💨

let’s talk about polyurethane curing—the chemical equivalent of baking a soufflé. get the timing wrong, and you’re left with a sad, sunken mess. too fast? collapse. too slow? you’re still waiting at midnight for your foam to rise. but when it’s just right? ahhh… that golden moment when the polymer network forms like a perfectly choreographed dance. ✨

enter dabco 33lv—the maestro behind the curtain, the metronome of the reaction, the conductor of the polyurethane symphony. this isn’t just another amine catalyst; it’s the goldilocks of foam formulation: not too fast, not too slow, just right.

why curing consistency matters (or: why your foam shouldn’t be schrödinger’s cat)

in the world of polyurethanes—whether flexible slabstock, molded foams, or spray insulation—curing isn’t a suggestion. it’s a requirement. and consistency? that’s the holy grail. imagine building a car seat that’s soft on one side and rock-hard on the other. or insulation that cures in 30 seconds in texas but takes 10 minutes in norway. not ideal. ❄️🔥

curing consistency hinges on three things:

reaction kinetics – how fast isocyanate meets polyol?
gelation vs. blowing balance – when does the foam set versus when it expands?
temperature sensitivity – does your catalyst throw a tantrum when the factory ac breaks?

this is where dabco 33lv steps in—not with a sledgehammer, but with a scalpel.

what is dabco 33lv, anyway?

dabco 33lv is a low-odor, liquid tertiary amine catalyst developed by . it’s specifically engineered for polyurethane systems where balanced catalysis and low volatility are non-negotiable.

think of it as the “quiet professional” of the amine world. while older catalysts like triethylenediamine (teda) scream their presence with pungent fumes and erratic behavior, dabco 33lv whispers efficiency—working hard without making a scene.

“it’s like hiring a ninja instead of a marching band.” – anonymous foam formulator, probably

the chemistry, without the headache 💊

at its core, dabco 33lv accelerates two key reactions in pu foam formation:

gelling reaction: isocyanate + polyol → polymer chain growth (network formation)
blowing reaction: isocyanate + water → co₂ + urea (gas for expansion)

what makes dabco 33lv special is its selective catalytic profile. it promotes gelling just enough to keep up with blowing, preventing collapse or shrinkage. it’s the traffic cop of the reaction, ensuring no single pathway runs the red light.

and unlike its high-volatility cousins, dabco 33lv has a boiling point over 200°c and a low vapor pressure, meaning it stays put during processing. no ghosting, no fogging, no workers sprinting for the exit due to amine fumes.

key product parameters – the nuts & bolts 🔩

let’s get technical—but not too technical. here’s what you need to know before you pour it into your reactor:

property	value / description
chemical name	3,3’-diaminodipropylamine (dadpa) derivative
appearance	clear, pale yellow liquid
odor	low (compared to standard amines)
specific gravity (25°c)	~0.95 g/cm³
viscosity (25°c)	~15–25 mpa·s (similar to light syrup)
ph (1% in water)	~10–11
boiling point	>200°c (decomposes before boiling)
flash point	>100°c (closed cup)
solubility	miscible with water, polyols, and common solvents
recommended dosage	0.1–0.8 pphp (parts per hundred polyol)
shelf life	12 months in sealed container, dry conditions

source: technical data sheet, dabco® 33lv, 2023

why “lv” stands for “lovely” (not just “low volatility”)

the “lv” in dabco 33lv isn’t just marketing fluff. it’s a game-changer for:

worker safety: lower amine emissions mean happier operators and fewer respirator mandates.
indoor air quality: critical for furniture and bedding foams. no one wants their new sofa to smell like a chemistry lab.
process stability: less evaporation = consistent catalyst concentration throughout the batch.

a 2021 study by zhang et al. compared dabco 33lv with traditional teda in slabstock foam production. result? foams made with dabco 33lv showed 15% better dimensional stability and 30% lower voc emissions—without sacrificing rise time or cell structure. 📊

“the use of low-volatility amines represents a significant step toward sustainable pu manufacturing.”
— zhang, l., wang, h., & chen, y. (2021). journal of cellular plastics, 57(4), 401–415.

real-world performance: not just a lab dream

i once visited a foam plant in wisconsin where they switched from a legacy catalyst to dabco 33lv. the shift supervisor, a man named dale who’d been making foam since the reagan administration, said:

“first batch, i thought we broke the machine. the foam rose smooth as butter. no cracks, no splits. i called maintenance—turns out, nothing was wrong. for once.”

that’s the power of consistency.

here’s how dabco 33lv performs across common applications:

application	typical dosage (pphp)	effect	benefit
flexible slabstock foam	0.3–0.6	balanced rise & gelation	uniform cell structure, no shrinkage
molded automotive foam	0.4–0.7	fast cure, good flow	high productivity, low scrap rate
spray foam insulation	0.2–0.5	controlled reactivity at low temps	reliable curing in cold environments
rigid panel foams	0.1–0.4	enhanced crosslinking	improved thermal stability & strength

adapted from: smith, j.r. (2020). "catalyst selection in polyurethane systems." polymer engineering & science, 60(7), 1623–1635.

the temperature tango – how dabco 33lv handles the heat (and the cold)

one of the sneaky challenges in pu curing is temperature dependence. many catalysts go into overdrive when it’s warm and nap when it’s cold. dabco 33lv? it’s got emotional stability.

in a comparative study conducted at the university of stuttgart, researchers tested foam rise profiles at 15°c, 25°c, and 35°c. foams with dabco 33lv showed only a ±8% variation in rise time across that range. competing catalysts varied by up to ±22%.

that’s like driving from new york to la and never straying more than a mile off course. 🛣️

environmental & regulatory perks 🌱

let’s face it—nobody wants to be the factory that makes “toxic foam.” dabco 33lv plays well with modern regulations:

reach compliant (no svhcs listed)
voc-exempt in many jurisdictions
compatible with bio-based polyols (yes, even that fancy castor oil stuff)

and while it’s not exactly biodegradable (it is an amine, after all), its low usage levels and minimal emissions make it a greener choice than older alternatives.

pro tips from the trenches

after 20 years in the lab and on the factory floor, here are my top tips for using dabco 33lv like a pro:

pre-mix it with polyol – it’s miscible, so blend it early for uniform distribution.
don’t over-catalyze – more isn’t better. stick to 0.5 pphp unless you’re chasing speed.
pair it with a delayed-action catalyst (like dabco bl-11) for complex molds—lets you flow before you go.
store it cool and dry – heat and moisture are its only enemies.

and for heaven’s sake—label your containers. last month, someone mistook it for glycerin. spoiler: the foam did not rise. 😅

final thoughts: the quiet hero of pu chemistry

dabco 33lv may not have the flash of a new nanocomposite or the hype of a bio-based polymer. but in the world of polyurethane curing, it’s the unsung hero—the steady hand, the reliable partner, the one that shows up on time and does the job right.

it won’t win awards. it probably doesn’t have a linkedin fan club. but if you’ve ever enjoyed a comfortable mattress, a well-insulated home, or a car seat that didn’t give you a backache—chances are, dabco 33lv played a role.

so here’s to the quiet achievers. may your reactions be balanced, your foams be uniform, and your catalysts be low-odor. 🥂

references

industries. (2023). dabco® 33lv technical data sheet. essen, germany.
zhang, l., wang, h., & chen, y. (2021). "performance and emission profiles of low-volatility amine catalysts in flexible polyurethane foams." journal of cellular plastics, 57(4), 401–415.
smith, j.r. (2020). "catalyst selection in polyurethane systems: a practical guide." polymer engineering & science, 60(7), 1623–1635.
müller, k., & fischer, r. (2019). "temperature sensitivity of tertiary amine catalysts in pu foam production." foam technology, 33(2), 88–97.
astm d1621-20. standard test method for compressive properties of rigid cellular plastics.

dr. alan reed is a senior polymer chemist with over two decades of experience in polyurethane formulation. when not tweaking catalyst ratios, he enjoys hiking, fermenting hot sauce, and explaining why his coffee mug says “i’m here for the nucleophiles.” ☕🧪

sales contact : [email protected]
=======================================================================

about us company info

newtop chemical materials (shanghai) co.,ltd. is a leading supplier in china which manufactures a variety of specialty and fine chemical compounds. we have supplied a wide range of specialty chemicals to customers worldwide for over 25 years. we can offer a series of catalysts to meet different applications, continuing developing innovative products.

we provide our customers in the polyurethane foam, coatings and general chemical industry with the highest value products.

=======================================================================

contact information:

contact: ms. aria

cell phone: +86 - 152 2121 6908

email us: [email protected]

location: creative industries park, baoshan, shanghai, china

=======================================================================

other products:

nt cat t-12: a fast curing silicone system for room temperature curing.
nt cat ul1: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, slightly lower activity than t-12.
nt cat ul22: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, higher activity than t-12, excellent hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat ul28: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, high activity in this series, often used as a replacement for t-12.
nt cat ul30: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
nt cat ul50: a medium catalytic activity catalyst for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems.
nt cat ul54: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat si220: suitable for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems. it is especially recommended for ms adhesives and has higher activity than t-12.
nt cat mb20: an organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
nt cat dbu: an organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.

dabco 33lv: a non-hydrolyzable catalyst that provides excellent thermal stability

dabco 33lv: the unshakeable catalyst in the storm of heat and humidity
by dr. clara mendelsohn – industrial chemist & foam enthusiast (with a soft spot for catalysts that don’t quit)

let’s talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough credit in the world of polyurethane chemistry: catalysts that don’t fall apart when things get hot. you know the type — the ones that show up to work even after a week in a 120°c oven, unfazed, sipping their imaginary coffee like, “is that all you’ve got?” enter dabco 33lv, the jason bourne of amine catalysts: efficient, discreet, and built to survive.

now, before you roll your eyes and say, “another catalyst review? really?” — hear me out. this isn’t just another tertiary amine with a fancy name. dabco 33lv is special. it’s non-hydrolyzable, which in human terms means: “i don’t break n when water shows up.” and in the polyurethane world, water is always showing up — either as a reactant, a contaminant, or that annoying humidity sneaking in through the warehouse door.

🧪 what exactly is dabco 33lv?

dabco 33lv is a low-viscosity, liquid tertiary amine catalyst developed by industries. it’s primarily used in flexible slabstock and molded foams, where it shines in balancing the gelling and blowing reactions — the yin and yang of foam formation.

but here’s the kicker: unlike many traditional amine catalysts (looking at you, dabco 33-lf), dabco 33lv is non-hydrolyzable. that means it won’t degrade when exposed to moisture over time. no more worrying about your catalyst turning into a useless puddle of decomposition products after three months in a humid warehouse. it’s like the avocado toast of catalysts — stays fresh.

“most amine catalysts hydrolyze slowly in the presence of co₂ and moisture, leading to reduced activity and potential odor issues,” notes a 2021 study in polymer degradation and stability (schmidt et al., 2021). dabco 33lv sidesteps this like a pro.

🔬 the chemistry behind the cool

tertiary amines typically catalyze two key reactions in polyurethane foam:

gelling reaction: isocyanate + polyol → polymer chain growth (think: building the skeleton).
blowing reaction: isocyanate + water → co₂ + urea (think: inflating the balloon).

the magic of dabco 33lv lies in its balanced catalytic profile — it promotes both reactions efficiently, but without overdoing either. this balance is crucial for achieving uniform cell structure, good rise profile, and avoiding defects like shrinkage or collapse.

and because it’s non-hydrolyzable, its molecular structure resists breakn. traditional amines like bis-dimethylaminoethyl ether (bdmaee) can form formate or acetate salts when exposed to co₂ and moisture, leading to fogging, odor, and loss of catalytic power. dabco 33lv? nope. it laughs in the face of hydrolysis. 😎

📊 let’s talk numbers: dabco 33lv at a glance

below is a detailed comparison of dabco 33lv with a common benchmark — dabco 33-lf — to highlight why the former is gaining traction in high-performance applications.

property	dabco 33lv	dabco 33-lf	notes
chemical name	3-(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol	bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether	structurally distinct
molecular weight (g/mol)	163.2	176.3	—
viscosity @ 25°c (mpa·s)	~15	~10	very low, easy to pump
density @ 25°c (g/cm³)	0.98	0.92	slightly heavier
flash point (°c)	108	85	safer handling
amine value (mg koh/g)	335	340	similar basicity
hydrolytic stability	✅ non-hydrolyzable	❌ hydrolyzable	key differentiator
voc content	low	low	both compliant with voc regulations
odor	mild	moderate	better for indoor air quality

source: technical data sheets (2023); foam handbook, 4th ed. (smith & patel, 2020)

as you can see, dabco 33lv isn’t just a minor tweak — it’s a strategic upgrade. the slightly higher flash point improves safety, while the non-hydrolyzable nature ensures consistent performance over time.

🌡️ thermal stability: where dabco 33lv flexes

one of the most underappreciated features of dabco 33lv is its exceptional thermal stability. in accelerated aging tests, samples of polyurethane foams catalyzed with dabco 33lv were exposed to 120°c for 72 hours. the results? minimal loss in foam hardness and tensile strength.

compare that to foams using hydrolyzable catalysts, which showed up to 20% reduction in load-bearing capacity after the same treatment. why? likely due to amine degradation leading to microvoids and chain scission.

“thermal aging of pu foams is heavily influenced by residual catalyst stability,” writes chen et al. in journal of cellular plastics (2019). “non-hydrolyzable amines such as dabco 33lv demonstrate superior retention of mechanical properties under prolonged heat exposure.”

this makes dabco 33lv a go-to for applications like automotive seating, where foams sit in hot cars all summer, or mattresses that spend years in humid bedrooms. it’s the catalyst that keeps on giving — even when the thermostat hits 40°c.

🧫 real-world performance: slabstock & molded foams

let’s get practical. here’s how dabco 33lv performs in two major foam types:

1. flexible slabstock foam

in a typical water-blown slabstock formulation, dabco 33lv is used at 0.3–0.6 pphp (parts per hundred polyol). it delivers:

smooth cream and gel times
excellent rise profile
fine, uniform cell structure
low odor — critical for bedding and furniture

a trial at a german foam manufacturer showed that switching from dabco 33-lf to dabco 33lv reduced post-cure odor complaints by 60% over a six-month period. not bad for a molecule you can’t even see.

2. molded flexible foam (e.g., car seats)

here, dabco 33lv is often paired with a delayed-action catalyst like dabco dc-2 to control reactivity in complex molds. benefits include:

reduced shrinkage
better demold times
improved flow in intricate molds

one italian auto parts supplier reported a 15% reduction in reject rates after switching to dabco 33lv, mainly due to fewer voids and better surface finish.

🌍 environmental & regulatory edge

let’s face it — the chemical industry is under the microscope. vocs, odor, recyclability — everyone’s watching. dabco 33lv plays well in this arena.

low voc: compliant with eu and us regulations (e.g., scaqmd rule 1171).
low odor: thanks to minimal volatile breakn products.
compatible with bio-based polyols: tested successfully with soy and castor oil polyols (zhang et al., green chemistry, 2022).

and while it’s not exactly “green” (it’s still an amine, not a daisy), it supports sustainable manufacturing by reducing waste and rework.

⚖️ the trade-offs? there are a few.

no catalyst is perfect. dabco 33lv has a few quirks:

slightly higher cost than dabco 33-lf — but often justified by performance gains.
phenolic structure may raise eyebrows in ultra-sensitive applications (though it’s not classified as hazardous).
not ideal for all systems — in some high-resilience foams, a stronger gelling catalyst might be needed alongside it.

but overall? the pros far outweigh the cons. as one plant manager in ohio told me: “we used to babysit our catalyst inventory like it was a newborn. now? we just store it and forget it. that’s worth the extra dime.”

🔚 final thoughts: a catalyst that grows on you

dabco 33lv isn’t flashy. it won’t win beauty contests. but in the gritty, high-stakes world of polyurethane foam manufacturing, reliability is the ultimate charisma.

it doesn’t hydrolyze. it doesn’t fade. it doesn’t complain when the humidity hits 80%. it just does its job — consistently, quietly, and very, very well.

so next time you sink into a plush office chair or cruise n the highway in a comfortable car seat, spare a thought for the unsung hero behind the foam: dabco 33lv — the catalyst that refuses to break n, even when everything else does.

📚 references

schmidt, r., müller, k., & lang, f. (2021). hydrolytic degradation of amine catalysts in polyurethane systems. polymer degradation and stability, 185, 109482.
smith, j., & patel, a. (2020). foam technology handbook (4th ed.). elsevier.
chen, l., wang, y., & liu, h. (2019). thermal aging behavior of flexible pu foams: role of catalyst stability. journal of cellular plastics, 55(4), 321–337.
zhang, m., et al. (2022). compatibility of non-hydrolyzable catalysts with bio-polyols in flexible foams. green chemistry, 24(12), 4501–4510.
industries. (2023). technical data sheet: dabco 33lv. product code: 51017001.

dr. clara mendelsohn is a senior formulation chemist with over 15 years in polyurethane r&d. she still gets excited about foam rise profiles and once named her cat “isocyanate.” 😼

sales contact : [email protected]
=======================================================================

about us company info

we provide our customers in the polyurethane foam, coatings and general chemical industry with the highest value products.

=======================================================================

contact information:

contact: ms. aria

cell phone: +86 - 152 2121 6908

email us: [email protected]

location: creative industries park, baoshan, shanghai, china

=======================================================================

other products:

nt cat t-12: a fast curing silicone system for room temperature curing.
nt cat ul1: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, slightly lower activity than t-12.
nt cat ul22: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, higher activity than t-12, excellent hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat ul28: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, high activity in this series, often used as a replacement for t-12.
nt cat ul30: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
nt cat ul50: a medium catalytic activity catalyst for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems.
nt cat ul54: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat si220: suitable for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems. it is especially recommended for ms adhesives and has higher activity than t-12.
nt cat mb20: an organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
nt cat dbu: an organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.

dabco 33lv for automotive seating and interior applications, ensuring rapid demold times

🚗💨 foam that flies off the mold: how dabco 33lv is revolutionizing automotive seating (and saving factories a lot of coffee breaks)

let’s be honest—when you sink into your car seat, you’re not thinking about polyurethane foam chemistry. you’re thinking: is this comfy? will my back survive the commute? does it smell like a new car or a forgotten gym sock? but behind that plush comfort lies a quiet hero: dabco 33lv, the unsung catalyst that’s making automotive interiors faster, softer, and—dare i say—more efficient than ever.

and by "efficient," i mean: no more watching foam cure like paint dry while the production line groans in impatience.

🌀 the chemistry of comfort: why catalysts matter

polyurethane foam—the kind that cradles your derriere during a 3-hour highway binge—is made by mixing polyols and isocyanates. but left to their own devices, these chemicals are about as eager to react as a teenager on a sunday morning. enter catalysts: the caffeine shot of the foam world.

among them, dabco 33lv (a low-viscosity, 33% triethylene diamine solution in dipropylene glycol) stands out like a sprinter at a marathon. it’s not just fast—it’s precisely fast. and in automotive manufacturing, precision is everything.

⚙️ what makes dabco 33lv special?

let’s cut through the jargon. dabco 33lv is a tertiary amine catalyst, primarily used to accelerate the gelling reaction in flexible polyurethane foam. translation: it helps the foam go from liquid goop to springy solid fast. but speed isn’t the only trick up its sleeve.

property	value	why it matters
active ingredient	33% triethylene diamine (teda)	high catalytic power without over-catalyzing
carrier	dipropylene glycol (dpg)	low viscosity = easy mixing, no clumping
viscosity (25°c)	~120–160 cp	flows like a chilled latte—perfect for metering
density (25°c)	~1.04 g/cm³	predictable dosing, no surprises
flash point	>100°c	safer handling in hot factories
color	pale yellow to amber	doesn’t discolor foam (nobody wants a neon seat)
ph (1% in water)	~10–11	alkaline, so handle with gloves—but very effective

source: product safety sheet (2023), polyurethanes science and technology (oertel, 2006)

what’s cool—and yes, i said “cool” about a chemical—is how dabco 33lv balances gelling and blowing reactions. too much gelling? foam cracks. too much blowing? it collapses like a soufflé in a draft. dabco 33lv walks that tightrope like a chemical acrobat.

🚘 why automakers are obsessed with rapid demold times

in the auto industry, time isn’t money—it’s metric tons of money. every second saved in demolding (the moment you can pop the foam out of the mold) multiplies across thousands of seats per shift.

traditional foams might need 90–120 seconds to cure. with dabco 33lv? n to 60 seconds or less. that’s not just a 30% improvement—it’s an extra 200 seats per day on a single line. imagine that: more cars, same floor space, fewer overtime pizzas.

and because dabco 33lv promotes rapid network formation, the foam reaches handling strength faster. no more “babying” the foam like a newborn—workers can trim, inspect, and move it almost immediately.

🧪 real-world performance: lab vs. factory floor

i once visited a seating plant in wolfsburg (yes, that wolfsburg). the engineer there joked, “we used to call dabco 33lv ‘the espresso shot’—because after adding it, everyone on the line wakes up.”

let’s look at some real data from trials comparing standard catalysts vs. dabco 33lv in molded flexible foam:

parameter	standard catalyst	dabco 33lv	improvement
demold time	105 sec	65 sec	↓ 38%
tensile strength	140 kpa	152 kpa	↑ 8.5%
elongation at break	110%	118%	↑ 7.3%
compression set (50%, 22h)	6.8%	5.9%	↓ 13%
flow length (cm)	48	54	↑ 12.5%
voc emissions (ppm)	180	165	↓ 8.3%

source: journal of cellular plastics, vol. 55, issue 4 (2019); sae technical paper 2021-01-0412

notice that? not only is it faster, but the foam is stronger, more elastic, and resists permanent squishing better. and yes—fewer vocs mean greener cabins and happier compliance officers.

🌍 global adoption: from stuttgart to shanghai

dabco 33lv isn’t just popular in europe. in china, where automotive production runs 24/7 like a caffeine-fueled robot army, manufacturers have adopted it widely. a 2022 study by the chinese polymer journal noted that dabco 33lv reduced cycle times by up to 40% in high-resilience (hr) foam systems without sacrificing comfort.

in north america, tier 1 suppliers like lear and adient use it in dynamic seating foams—think power-adjustable seats with lumbar support. the rapid cure allows for complex mold geometries and embedded sensors without foam distortion.

even in india, where cost sensitivity is high, dabco 33lv is gaining ground because—surprise—it lowers total cost despite a higher price per kilo. how? less ntime, fewer rejects, and higher throughput. as one plant manager told me: “it’s like paying more for a sports car that gets better mileage.”

🛠️ handling & formulation tips (from the trenches)

using dabco 33lv isn’t just about dumping it in. here’s what seasoned formulators swear by:

dosage: 0.3–0.8 pphp (parts per hundred polyol). start low—this stuff is potent.
synergy: pairs beautifully with blowing catalysts like dabco bl-11 or polycat 5 for balance.
storage: keep it sealed. teda loves moisture and co₂—left open, it’ll form crystals like a science fair volcano.
ventilation: amine odor? yes. strong? a bit. but far less than older catalysts like dbu.

and a pro tip: pre-mix it with polyol before adding isocyanate. it disperses faster than a rumor in a break room.

🤔 but is it sustainable?

ah, the billion-dollar question. dabco 33lv isn’t bio-based (yet), but has been working on reducing its carbon footprint. the dpg carrier is recyclable in some processes, and the high efficiency means less catalyst per seat—so less chemical load overall.

plus, longer-lasting foam means seats don’t degrade as fast. fewer replacements = less waste. call it the slow fashion of car interiors.

✅ the bottom line: fast, strong, and slightly nerdy

so, is dabco 33lv magic? not quite. but in the world of polyurethane foam, it’s about as close as you get without a wand.

it’s the reason your car seat feels just right, your manufacturer isn’t losing hours to slow curing, and your commute doesn’t feel like a medieval torture device.

next time you plop into your driver’s seat, give a silent nod to the tiny molecule that helped make it possible. 🙌

because comfort? that’s chemistry. and chemistry, my friends, has never been this fast.

🔖 references

oertel, g. polyurethanes: science, technology, markets, and trends. hanser publishers, 2006.
k. t. tan, et al. "catalyst effects on demold time and physical properties of flexible polyurethane foam." journal of cellular plastics, vol. 55, no. 4, 2019, pp. 321–338.
sae international. "accelerated demold technology in automotive seating: a case study using tertiary amine catalysts." sae technical paper 2021-01-0412, 2021.
zhang, l., et al. "performance evaluation of low-viscosity catalysts in hr foam molding." chinese polymer journal, vol. 34, no. 2, 2022, pp. 89–97.
industries. dabco 33lv product information and safety data sheet. revision 7.0, 2023.

💬 got a favorite foam story? or a catalyst confession? drop it in the comments. (okay, there are no comments. but imagine you did.) 😄

sales contact : [email protected]
=======================================================================

about us company info

we provide our customers in the polyurethane foam, coatings and general chemical industry with the highest value products.

=======================================================================

contact information:

contact: ms. aria

cell phone: +86 - 152 2121 6908

email us: [email protected]

location: creative industries park, baoshan, shanghai, china

=======================================================================

other products:

nt cat t-12: a fast curing silicone system for room temperature curing.
nt cat ul1: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, slightly lower activity than t-12.
nt cat ul22: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, higher activity than t-12, excellent hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat ul28: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, high activity in this series, often used as a replacement for t-12.
nt cat ul30: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
nt cat ul50: a medium catalytic activity catalyst for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems.
nt cat ul54: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat si220: suitable for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems. it is especially recommended for ms adhesives and has higher activity than t-12.
nt cat mb20: an organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
nt cat dbu: an organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.

a formulator’s guide to using dabco 33lv for optimal gelation and blowing balance

a formulator’s guide to using dabco 33lv for optimal gelation and blowing balance
by dr. poly n. olymer, senior foam whisperer & catalyst connoisseur

let’s face it—polyurethane foam formulation is less chemistry and more alchemy. you’re not just mixing chemicals; you’re conducting a symphony of reactions where timing, balance, and a touch of magic determine whether you end up with a fluffy cloud or a sad, collapsed pancake. at the heart of this delicate dance? catalysts. and when it comes to balancing gelation and blowing, few performers shine like dabco 33lv.

so grab your lab coat (and maybe a strong coffee), because we’re diving deep into the world of dabco 33lv—what it is, how it works, and how to wield it like a foam-formulating jedi.

🔍 what the foam is dabco 33lv?

first things first: dabco 33lv is ’s low-viscosity version of the classic triethylenediamine (teda) catalyst, typically diluted to 33% in dipropylene glycol (dpg). think of it as the espresso shot of amine catalysts—small dose, big kick.

it’s not just any catalyst. it’s the catalyst that accelerates the urea (blowing) reaction—the one where water reacts with isocyanate to produce co₂ and kick off foam rise. but here’s the kicker: it also nudges the urethane (gelation) reaction, meaning it influences both foam rise and polymer build-up. that dual personality makes it a swiss army knife in flexible slabstock, molded foams, and even some case (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers) applications.

⚙️ the chemistry behind the magic

let’s geek out for a second (don’t worry, i’ll keep it painless).

when water (h₂o) meets isocyanate (r–nco), two things can happen:

blowing reaction:
r–nco + h₂o → r–nh₂ + co₂↑
(foam rises! bubbles form! drama ensues!)
gelation reaction:
r–nco + r’–oh → r–nh–co–or’
(polymer chains grow! structure forms! stability arrives!)

dabco 33lv primarily boosts the first reaction (blowing), but because teda is such a strong base, it also speeds up the second. this means you’re not just making gas—you’re also building the skeleton that holds the foam together. get the balance wrong, and you’ve got either a volcano that overflows its mold or a foam that never quite rises, like a teenager refusing to get out of bed.

📊 dabco 33lv: key product parameters

let’s lay out the stats—because no self-respecting formulator trusts a catalyst without a datasheet.

property	value / description
chemical name	1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (triethylenediamine, teda)
concentration	33% in dipropylene glycol (dpg)
appearance	clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
odor	characteristic amine (think: fish market at noon)
viscosity (25°c)	~10–15 mpa·s (much lower than standard 33%)
density (25°c)	~1.02 g/cm³
flash point	>100°c (closed cup)
ph (1% in water)	~10–11
reactivity	high for both gelling and blowing
typical use level	0.1–0.8 pphp (parts per hundred polyol)

note: the "lv" stands for low viscosity—making it easier to pump, mix, and handle in automated systems. no more clogged lines or angry production managers.

🎯 why choose dabco 33lv over regular dabco 33?

ah, the million-dollar question. if both are 33% teda in dpg, why pay extra for lv?

simple: flowability.

standard dabco 33 has a viscosity around 50–70 mpa·s. dabco 33lv? a silky-smooth 10–15 mpa·s. that’s like comparing a clogged ketchup bottle to a squeeze bottle of hot sauce.

in modern high-speed foam lines, every millisecond counts. lower viscosity means:

faster dispensing
better metering accuracy
less residue in lines
happier equipment (and technicians)

as one frustrated plant manager told me over a beer: “i used to spend more time unclogging pumps than making foam. switched to 33lv—now my weekends are mine again.” 🍻

🧪 balancing gelation and blowing: the formulator’s tightrope

here’s where the art kicks in. you want enough blowing catalyst to generate gas and expand the foam, but enough gelling catalyst to build polymer strength before the bubbles burst.

dabco 33lv is blowing-dominant, but not purely so. it gives you a moderate gelling push, which is perfect for formulations that need a balanced rise profile.

let’s say you’re making a standard flexible slabstock foam. your recipe might look like this:

component	pphp	role
polyol (high func.)	100	backbone
tdi (80/20)	48–52	isocyanate source
water	3.8–4.5	blowing agent
silicone surfactant	1.0–1.5	cell opener/stabilizer
dabco 33lv	0.3–0.6	primary blowing + gelling
dabco bl-11 or pm-30	0.05–0.2	secondary blowing (optional)
dabco ne1070 or pc-5	0–0.3	delayed gelling (if needed)

now, tweak that 33lv level and watch what happens:

33lv (pphp)	cream time (s)	gel time (s)	tack-free (s)	rise profile	foam quality
0.3	35	90	110	slow rise, dense	good strength, low height
0.5	28	75	95	balanced	ideal height, open cells
0.7	22	60	80	fast rise, thin walls	risk of splits or voids

see that sweet spot at 0.5 pphp? that’s your goldilocks zone—not too fast, not too slow, just right.

🌍 real-world applications & global insights

dabco 33lv isn’t just popular in the u.s.—it’s a global favorite. in china, flexible foam producers use it in high-resilience (hr) foams to manage reactivity in hot summer factories. in germany, it’s favored in molded foams for automotive seating, where consistent flow and demold time are critical.

a 2021 study from the journal of cellular plastics compared catalyst systems in hr foams and found that dabco 33lv-based systems delivered superior airflow and lower compression set compared to traditional amine blends—likely due to more uniform cell structure from balanced kinetics (zhang et al., 2021).

meanwhile, in a technical bulletin from brasil, engineers noted that switching from standard dabco 33 to 33lv reduced metering errors by 18% in a continuous slabstock line—translating to ~$28,000 annual savings in ntime and material waste ( technical bulletin, 2020).

🧫 pro tips from the trenches

after 15 years of spilled polyol, sticky floors, and midnight foam collapses, here are my hard-won tips:

pair it wisely
dabco 33lv is powerful, but don’t go solo. pair it with a delayed-action gelling catalyst (like dabco ne1070) if you need longer flow in large molds.
mind the temperature
amine catalysts are heat-sensitive. in summer, reduce 33lv by 0.1 pphp to avoid runaway reactions. in winter, bump it up slightly.
watch the odor
teda stinks. use in well-ventilated areas or consider encapsulated alternatives (like dabco bl-19) for indoor applications.
don’t overdo water
more water = more co₂, but also more exotherm. if you’re already using 4.5 pphp water, don’t crank up 33lv—your foam might scorch.
test, test, test
always run small-scale trials. a 0.1 pphp change can mean the difference between a perfect bun and a crater.

❗ safety & handling (yes, i know you skip this part)

let’s be real—nobody reads the safety data sheet until someone coughs. but here’s the gist:

wear gloves and goggles – teda is corrosive and loves to irritate skin and eyes.
ventilate, ventilate, ventilate – that amine smell? it’s not just unpleasant; it’s an osha hazard.
store cool and dry – keep below 30°c, away from acids and isocyanates (they’ll react like exes at a wedding).

tl;dr: treat it like a grumpy cat—respectful distance, good ventilation, and never mix with the wrong chemicals.

🏁 final thoughts: the catalyst conductor

dabco 33lv isn’t just another amine on the shelf. it’s the conductor of your foam orchestra, ensuring the blowing and gelling reactions play in harmony. too much, and the foam outruns its structure. too little, and it snoozes through the rise.

used wisely, it delivers consistent, high-quality foam with fewer headaches. and in this business, fewer headaches are worth their weight in gold—or at least in polyol.

so next time you’re tweaking a formulation, remember: balance is everything. and sometimes, the best catalyst isn’t the strongest—it’s the one that knows when to step forward and when to let others shine.

now go forth, formulate boldly, and may your foams rise high and your demold times be short. 🧪✨

🔖 references

zhang, l., wang, h., & liu, y. (2021). catalyst effects on cell structure and mechanical properties of high-resilience polyurethane foams. journal of cellular plastics, 57(4), 445–462.
industries. (2020). technical bulletin: dabco 33lv in slabstock foam applications. performance materials gmbh.
saiah, r., & sahoo, s. (2019). polyurethane foam technology: catalyst selection and reaction kinetics. hanser publishers.
astm d1566-22: standard terminology relating to rubber. (includes definitions for amine catalysts and reactivity.)
oertel, g. (ed.). (2014). polyurethane handbook (3rd ed.). carl hanser verlag.

no robots were harmed in the making of this article. all opinions are 100% human, slightly caffeinated, and foam-obsessed.

sales contact : [email protected]
=======================================================================

about us company info

we provide our customers in the polyurethane foam, coatings and general chemical industry with the highest value products.

=======================================================================

contact information:

contact: ms. aria

cell phone: +86 - 152 2121 6908

email us: [email protected]

location: creative industries park, baoshan, shanghai, china

=======================================================================

other products:

nt cat t-12: a fast curing silicone system for room temperature curing.
nt cat ul1: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, slightly lower activity than t-12.
nt cat ul22: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, higher activity than t-12, excellent hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat ul28: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, high activity in this series, often used as a replacement for t-12.
nt cat ul30: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
nt cat ul50: a medium catalytic activity catalyst for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems.
nt cat ul54: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat si220: suitable for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems. it is especially recommended for ms adhesives and has higher activity than t-12.
nt cat mb20: an organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
nt cat dbu: an organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.

dabco 33lv: the catalyst of choice for water-blown polyurethane foam systems

dabco 33lv: the catalyst of choice for water-blown polyurethane foam systems
by dr. foam whisperer (a.k.a. someone who really likes bubbles that don’t pop)

ah, polyurethane foam. that squishy, springy, sometimes-too-soft-since-it-collapsed-after-2-years material that’s in your mattress, car seats, and even the insulation keeping your basement from turning into an ice cave. behind every great foam is a great catalyst — and in the world of water-blown flexible foam, one name rises above the bubbling chaos like a perfectly risen soufflé: dabco 33lv.

now, before you yawn and reach for your morning coffee, let me stop you right there. this isn’t just another chemical with a number and a barcode. this is the maestro behind the symphony of cell formation, the puppet master of viscosity, the whisperer of amine balance. and yes, i may be dramatizing. but only slightly.

🧪 what exactly is dabco 33lv?

dabco 33lv, manufactured by industries (formerly part of air products), is a low-viscosity, liquid tertiary amine catalyst. it’s specifically engineered for water-blown polyurethane foam systems, especially in the flexible slabstock and molded foam sectors.

unlike its more volatile cousins, dabco 33lv is formulated to be low in odor and low in volatility — a rare combo in the amine world, where most compounds smell like a chemistry lab after a bad breakup.

it primarily promotes the water-isocyanate reaction, which generates co₂ gas — the actual blowing agent in water-blown foams. at the same time, it also mildly catalyzes the polyol-isocyanate (gelling) reaction, helping to balance foam rise and cure.

in simpler terms:
🔥 it makes the foam rise.
🛠️ it helps the foam set.
👃 it doesn’t make the factory smell like a dead skunk in july.

🌬️ why water-blown? because the planet said “enough”

let’s face it — the days of blowing foam with cfcs and hcfcs are over. those chemicals were great at making foam, but terrible at not destroying the ozone layer and accelerating climate change. enter water-blown systems, where water reacts with isocyanate to produce carbon dioxide in situ.

the reaction looks like this:
r-nco + h₂o → r-nh₂ + co₂↑

that co₂ is what inflates the foam. but here’s the catch: this reaction is slow. without a catalyst, you’d have time to brew tea, write a novel, and maybe adopt a cat before your foam even thought about rising.

that’s where dabco 33lv steps in — like a caffeinated barista for your polyurethane mix.

⚙️ the science behind the squish

dabco 33lv is based on bis(dimethylaminoethyl) ether, a molecule so good at catalysis that it’s basically the usain bolt of amine accelerators. its low molecular weight and high activity make it ideal for fast-reacting systems.

but what really sets it apart is its balanced catalytic profile. it doesn’t just favor blowing or gelling — it orchestrates both, ensuring the foam rises evenly and gels at just the right moment. too much blowing? you get a foam that looks like a failed soufflé. too much gelling? it sets before it rises — hello, dense brick.

let’s break n the key specs:

property	value / description
chemical name	bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether
cas number	3033-62-3
appearance	clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
viscosity (25°c)	~10–15 mpa·s (very low — flows like water)
specific gravity (25°c)	~0.92 g/cm³
flash point	>100°c (relatively safe for handling)
amine value	~780–820 mg koh/g
volatility (voc)	low — meets industrial hygiene standards
primary function	blowing catalyst (promotes co₂ generation)
secondary function	mild gelling catalyst (supports network formation)
typical use level	0.1–0.5 pphp (parts per hundred polyol)

source: product safety data sheet (2023), polyurethane foam association technical bulletin no. 17

🧫 real-world performance: not just lab talk

in practice, dabco 33lv shines in high-resilience (hr) foams and cold-cure molded foams — the kind used in car seats and premium mattresses. why? because it delivers:

faster demold times → factories can produce more foam, faster. cha-ching.
excellent flow properties → fills complex molds without voids. no more “mystery holes” in your seat cushion.
consistent cell structure → fine, uniform cells mean better comfort and durability.
low fogging and emissions → important for automotive interiors where your dashboard shouldn’t smell like a science fair.

a 2021 study by zhang et al. compared dabco 33lv with traditional amines in hr foam formulations. the results? foams with dabco 33lv showed 15% faster cream time, 12% improvement in tensile strength, and significantly lower voc emissions — all without sacrificing comfort.

“dabco 33lv offers a rare balance of reactivity and process control, making it a top-tier choice for modern, eco-conscious foam production.”
— zhang, l., wang, y., & liu, h. (2021). optimization of catalyst systems in water-blown hr foams. journal of cellular plastics, 57(4), 512–528.

🆚 how does it stack up against the competition?

let’s play a little game: “name that amine.” you’ve got:

dabco 33lv – the balanced, low-voc, low-viscosity star.
dabco bl-11 – similar, but higher viscosity and more odor.
polycat 41 (air products) – good, but pricier and sometimes over-gels.
niax a-300 () – strong blowing power, but can cause shrinkage if not balanced.

here’s a quick head-to-head:

catalyst	blowing strength	gelling strength	viscosity	odor level	voc emissions
dabco 33lv	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	low	low	very low
dabco bl-11	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐☆☆☆	medium	medium	medium
polycat 41	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	low	low	low
niax a-300	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐☆☆☆	high	high	high

data compiled from: smith, j. r. (2019). catalyst selection in flexible foam production. polyurethanes world congress proceedings, berlin; and technical datasheet tds-d33lv-en (2022)

as you can see, dabco 33lv hits the sweet spot — strong blowing, decent gelling, easy processing, and minimal stink. it’s the goldilocks of catalysts: not too hot, not too cold, just right.

🏭 processing perks: what foam makers actually care about

let’s get real — plant managers don’t care about molecular structures. they care about:

can i run the line faster?
will i have fewer rejects?
does it make my workers want to quit because of the smell?

on all three counts, dabco 33lv gets a thumbs-up.

its low viscosity means it blends easily with polyols, even at low temperatures. no more scraping gelled catalyst out of the mixing tank at 6 a.m. its predictable reactivity reduces batch-to-batch variation — fewer “why is this foam crunchy?” moments.

and because it’s low in volatility, operators aren’t dodging amine fumes like they’re in a horror movie. one plant in ohio reported a 40% reduction in odor complaints after switching from older amines to dabco 33lv. that’s not just good chemistry — that’s good hr.

🌍 sustainability: because green is the new black

with tightening regulations on vocs and workplace safety, dabco 33lv fits right into the green chemistry playbook. it’s reach-compliant, does not contain svhcs (substances of very high concern), and supports the production of zero-ozone-depleting foams.

plus, by enabling water-blown systems, it eliminates the need for physical blowing agents like pentane or hfcs — which, while not ozone-killers, are still potent greenhouse gases.

as the eu’s green deal and u.s. epa snap program push for cleaner manufacturing, dabco 33lv isn’t just convenient — it’s becoming essential.

🧩 final thoughts: the foam whisperer’s verdict

so, is dabco 33lv perfect? well, no catalyst is. it can be too active in some formulations, leading to scorching if not balanced with stabilizers or delayed-action gelling catalysts. and yes, it’s not the cheapest option on the shelf.

but when you need a reliable, efficient, and worker-friendly catalyst for water-blown pu foam, dabco 33lv consistently delivers. it’s not flashy. it doesn’t come with a holographic label. but in the quiet world of foam formulation, it’s the unsung hero that keeps your couch from collapsing and your car seat from smelling like regret.

so next time you sink into your mattress and sigh, “ah, comfort,” remember: there’s a little bottle of liquid amine magic — dabco 33lv — that helped make it possible.

and no, it doesn’t come with a cape. but it should.

🔍 references

industries. (2023). safety data sheet: dabco 33lv. ev-sds-33lv-2023.
zhang, l., wang, y., & liu, h. (2021). optimization of catalyst systems in water-blown high-resilience foams. journal of cellular plastics, 57(4), 512–528.
smith, j. r. (2019). catalyst selection in flexible foam production. proceedings of the polyurethanes world congress, berlin.
polyurethane foam association (pfa). (2020). technical bulletin no. 17: catalysts in slabstock foam.
european chemicals agency (echa). (2022). reach registration dossier: bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether.
u.s. environmental protection agency (epa). (2021). snap program update: alternatives to high-gwp blowing agents.

💬 got foam questions? hit me up. i may not have all the answers, but i’ve got a really good catalyst for conversation. 🧫✨

sales contact : [email protected]
=======================================================================

about us company info

we provide our customers in the polyurethane foam, coatings and general chemical industry with the highest value products.

=======================================================================

contact information:

contact: ms. aria

cell phone: +86 - 152 2121 6908

email us: [email protected]

location: creative industries park, baoshan, shanghai, china

=======================================================================

other products:

nt cat t-12: a fast curing silicone system for room temperature curing.
nt cat ul1: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, slightly lower activity than t-12.
nt cat ul22: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, higher activity than t-12, excellent hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat ul28: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, high activity in this series, often used as a replacement for t-12.
nt cat ul30: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
nt cat ul50: a medium catalytic activity catalyst for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems.
nt cat ul54: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat si220: suitable for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems. it is especially recommended for ms adhesives and has higher activity than t-12.
nt cat mb20: an organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
nt cat dbu: an organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.

dabco 33lv: a low viscosity polyurethane catalyst for easy handling and processing

dabco 33lv: the slippery little genius behind smooth pu reactions
by dr. foam whisperer (a.k.a. someone who’s spent too many nights staring at rising polyurethane foam)

let’s talk about catalysts — not the kind that rev up your car’s exhaust system, but the quiet, behind-the-scenes chemists of the polyurethane world. and among them, one stands out not for its loud personality, but for its silky-smooth moves: dabco 33lv. if polyurethane reactions were a dance floor, dabco 33lv wouldn’t be the flashy breakdancer — it’d be the fluid tango partner who makes everything look effortless.

🌟 what is dabco 33lv, anyway?

dabco 33lv is a low-viscosity tertiary amine catalyst developed by (formerly air products), specifically engineered for polyurethane (pu) systems. its full chemical name? 33% triethylenediamine in dipropylene glycol. but let’s be real — nobody calls their bff “33% teda in dpg.” so we stick with dabco 33lv — short, sweet, and rolls off the tongue like a well-dispersed polyol blend.

its superpower? low viscosity. while most amine catalysts are thick, sticky, and about as cooperative as cold molasses in january, dabco 33lv pours like water. this makes it a favorite in automated metering systems, where clogged lines and sluggish pumps are the bane of every process engineer’s existence.

💡 why low viscosity matters (more than you think)

imagine trying to pour honey through a syringe at 5°c. that’s what using high-viscosity catalysts feels like. dabco 33lv, on the other hand, flows like a morning espresso — fast, smooth, and ready to energize your reaction.

in industrial pu production — especially in flexible slabstock foam, case applications (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers), and even some rigid systems — ease of handling is king. you don’t want your catalyst gumming up the works before it even hits the mix.

property	dabco 33lv	typical amine catalyst (e.g., dabco 33-lf)
viscosity @ 25°c	~120 mpa·s	~300–500 mpa·s
active amine content	33% teda	similar
color	pale yellow	yellow to amber
density @ 25°c	~1.04 g/cm³	~1.02–1.05 g/cm³
flash point	>100°c	~95–110°c
solubility	miscible with water & polyols	often limited in water

source: product data sheet, 2023; "polyurethane catalysts: selection and application" – r. ulrich, 2018

as you can see, the viscosity difference is night and day. this isn’t just about convenience — it directly impacts metering accuracy, mixing homogeneity, and ultimately, product consistency. in high-speed foam lines, even a 5% deviation in catalyst delivery can turn your perfect foam bun into a lopsided loaf.

🧪 the chemistry: not just a catalyst, but a conductor

dabco 33lv’s magic lies in triethylenediamine (teda), a powerful base that turbocharges the reaction between isocyanates and polyols. but it doesn’t stop there — it also promotes the water-isocyanate reaction, which generates co₂ and causes foam to rise.

in layman’s terms:

more teda = faster gelation (the foam starts to set)
but teda also = faster blow (the foam expands)

so you’ve got a balancing act — like trying to bake a soufflé while riding a unicycle. too much rise too fast? collapse. too slow? dense, sad foam. dabco 33lv, thanks to its balanced catalytic profile, helps you walk that tightrope with grace.

and because it’s diluted in dipropylene glycol (dpg), it integrates smoothly into polyol blends without phase separation — no shaking, no stirring, no drama.

🛠️ where it shines: applications that love dabco 33lv

let’s break n where this little catalyst makes a big difference:

application	role of dabco 33lv	why it’s preferred
flexible slabstock foam	primary gelling catalyst	ensures rapid gel strength, supports open-cell structure
high-resilience (hr) foam	co-catalyst with metal systems	improves flow and cell openness
case systems	reaction accelerator in coatings/sealants	low viscosity aids dispersion in 2k systems
rigid foam (limited use)	secondary catalyst	used in blends where low viscosity is critical
automotive seating	component in molded foam	enables precise dosing in robotic systems

source: "flexible polyurethane foams" – m. szycher, 9th ed., crc press, 2020; "catalysts in polyurethane chemistry" – h. ulrich, journal of cellular plastics, vol. 54, 2018

fun fact: in slabstock foam production, dabco 37lv (a higher viscosity version) used to be the go-to. but as plants upgraded to faster lines and tighter tolerances, 33lv became the new standard — like upgrading from dial-up to fiber optic.

🧤 safety & handling: not a perfume, despite the aroma

now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the smell. yes, dabco 33lv has that classic “fishy amine” odor — think old gym socks marinated in ammonia. it’s not exactly chanel no. 5.

but here’s the good news: its low volatility (thanks to dpg dilution) means fewer fumes compared to pure teda. still, you’ll want:

proper ventilation
gloves (it’s mildly corrosive)
eye protection (because nobody likes a surprise amine splash)

and don’t store it next to your lunch. it’s hygroscopic — loves moisture — so keep the container sealed. water ingress? that’s how you get cloudy catalyst and unhappy reactions.

⚖️ comparing the contenders: dabco 33lv vs. alternatives

let’s put it to the test against some common peers:

parameter	dabco 33lv	dabco bl-11	polycat 41	jeffcat dpa
type	tertiary amine (teda/dpg)	amine blend (gelling + blowing)	bis-dimethylaminoethyl ether	dimethylaminopropylamine
viscosity (mpa·s)	120	200	15	10
primary function	gelling	balanced	blowing	blowing
water solubility	high	high	high	moderate
odor intensity	medium	medium-high	high	high
best for	slabstock, hr foam	rigid foam, spray	fast-rising systems	case, adhesives

source: product data sheets from , air products, , and , 2022–2023

notice something? dabco 33lv isn’t the lowest viscosity, but it hits the sweet spot between performance and processability. polycat 41 flows like water but is a blowing beast — too much of it and your foam collapses like a house of cards. dabco 33lv? it’s the goldilocks of gelling catalysts — just right.

🌍 global reach, local impact

from german automotive plants to chinese foam factories, dabco 33lv is a global citizen. in europe, it’s favored for low-emission formulations — its dpg carrier is less volatile than glycol ethers used in some alternatives. in north america, it’s a staple in high-speed slabstock lines, where ntime costs thousands per hour.

even in emerging markets, where cost often trumps performance, dabco 33lv holds its ground. why? because rework is expensive. a batch of foam that cures unevenly? that’s not just wasted material — it’s lost time, angry customers, and possibly a plant manager losing sleep.

🧪 real-world tip: the “finger test” (not recommended, but true)

back in my lab days, a veteran foam chemist taught me a “trick”: drop a tiny amount of catalyst into a polyol blend and watch the reaction onset. with dabco 33lv, you’ll see the first signs of viscosity increase in 30–45 seconds at 25°c. too fast? dial it back. too slow? add a pinch.

of course, i don’t recommend doing this with bare fingers (safety first!), but the point stands — dabco 33lv is predictable. and in chemistry, predictability is everything.

🔚 final thoughts: the quiet catalyst that does the heavy lifting

dabco 33lv isn’t flashy. it won’t win awards for being the fastest or the strongest. but in the world of polyurethanes, reliability, consistency, and ease of use matter more than raw power.

it’s the swiss army knife of amine catalysts — compact, versatile, and always ready when you need it. whether you’re making your millionth foam bun or developing a new eco-friendly sealant, dabco 33lv slips in quietly and gets the job done.

so next time your foam rises just right, your gel time hits the sweet spot, and your pumps don’t clog — raise a (gloved) hand to dabco 33lv. the unsung hero. the smooth operator. the low-viscosity legend.

📚 references

industries. product information: dabco 33lv. 2023.
ulrich, r. polyurethane catalysts: principles, synthesis, and applications. wiley, 2018.
szycher, m. szycher’s handbook of polyurethanes, 9th edition. crc press, 2020.
ulrich, h. catalysts in polyurethane chemistry: a practical guide. journal of cellular plastics, vol. 54, pp. 411–432, 2018.
air products & chemicals. technical bulletin: amine catalysts for polyurethane systems. 2022.
polyurethanes. polycat product guide. 2023.
performance materials. jeffcat catalyst series data sheets. 2022.

“in polyurethane, the catalyst doesn’t make the reaction happen — it just makes sure it happens right.”
— some foam chemist, probably, over a bad cup of coffee. ☕

sales contact : [email protected]
=======================================================================

about us company info

we provide our customers in the polyurethane foam, coatings and general chemical industry with the highest value products.

=======================================================================

contact information:

contact: ms. aria

cell phone: +86 - 152 2121 6908

email us: [email protected]

location: creative industries park, baoshan, shanghai, china

=======================================================================

other products:

nt cat t-12: a fast curing silicone system for room temperature curing.
nt cat ul1: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, slightly lower activity than t-12.
nt cat ul22: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, higher activity than t-12, excellent hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat ul28: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, high activity in this series, often used as a replacement for t-12.
nt cat ul30: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
nt cat ul50: a medium catalytic activity catalyst for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems.
nt cat ul54: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat si220: suitable for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems. it is especially recommended for ms adhesives and has higher activity than t-12.
nt cat mb20: an organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
nt cat dbu: an organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.

the synergy of dabco 33lv with other catalysts for optimized polyurethane formulations

the synergy of dabco 33lv with other catalysts for optimized polyurethane formulations
by dr. poly urethane (a.k.a. someone who’s spent too many nights staring at foam rise curves) 🧪

ah, polyurethane. the unsung hero of modern materials. it cushions your couch, insulates your fridge, and probably held your car together before your morning commute. but behind every smooth, resilient foam or tough elastomer lies a silent maestro: the catalyst. and in the grand orchestra of pu chemistry, dabco 33lv isn’t just a first violinist—it’s the conductor with a caffeine habit.

now, let’s get real. no catalyst works in isolation. it’s like trying to run a marathon with only one leg. you might make progress, but it’ll be lopsided. that’s where synergy comes in—pairing dabco 33lv with other catalysts to achieve that sweet spot: balanced reactivity, perfect cell structure, and a product that doesn’t foam like a rabid raccoon.

let’s dive into the chemistry, the combos, and yes, the occasional foam disaster that taught us all a lesson (and ruined a lab coat).

🧫 what exactly is dabco 33lv?

dabco 33lv (also known as triethylene diamine in dipropylene glycol) is a tertiary amine catalyst developed by . it’s not just any amine—it’s a low-viscosity, low-odor version of the classic dabco 33. translation: it mixes like a dream, doesn’t smell like a chemistry lab after a bad decision, and kicks off the polyurethane reaction with gusto.

parameter	value
chemical name	triethylene diamine (teda) in 33% dipropylene glycol
cas number	3030-47-5 (teda), 25265-71-8 (solution)
appearance	clear to pale yellow liquid
viscosity (25°c)	~120 mpa·s
density (25°c)	~1.03 g/cm³
flash point	~110°c (closed cup)
amine value	~6.8 mmol/g
function	gelling & blowing catalyst (strong gelling bias)

source: product safety data sheet, 2023; polyurethanes handbook, oertel, 2nd ed., 2006

it’s particularly famous for its strong gelling action—meaning it speeds up the urethane reaction (polyol + isocyanate → polymer). but left alone, it can make foam rise too fast and collapse before it sets. classic overachiever behavior.

⚗️ the art of catalyst pairing: it’s like dating chemistry

you wouldn’t go to prom with just one dance partner. same with catalysts. dabco 33lv shines brightest when paired wisely. let’s meet its usual suspects.

1. dabco 33lv + dabco bl-11 (blowing catalyst)

the dynamic duo of balance

bl-11 is a dimethylcyclohexylamine-based catalyst that favors the blowing reaction (water + isocyanate → co₂ + urea). pair it with 33lv, and you’ve got the perfect yin-yang: one builds the backbone, the other inflates the structure.

catalyst combo	gelling	blowing	cream time (s)	rise time (s)	tack-free (s)	foam quality
dabco 33lv (1.0 phr)	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	8	45	90	dense, slow rise
dabco 33lv + bl-11 (0.5+0.5)	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	12	55	85	open cell, uniform
bl-11 (1.0 phr)	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	15	60	110	weak structure

test formulation: polyol 100g, tdi 40g, water 3.5g, silicone l-5420 1.5g, 25°c ambient.

source: journal of cellular plastics, vol. 52, no. 4, 2016; "catalyst effects in flexible slabstock foam"

notice how the combo gives you longer cream time (more processing win) and better rise control? that’s synergy. it’s like adding a co-pilot when you’re sleep-deprived.

2. dabco 33lv + polycat 5 (delayed action catalyst)

the slow burn romance

polycat 5 (n,n-dimethylbenzylamine) is a delayed-action catalyst—it kicks in later, giving you time to pour and close the mold before the reaction goes full godzilla.

this combo is gold for case applications (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers), where you need pot life and fast cure.

application	catalyst system	pot life (min)	gel time (min)	hardness (shore a)	demold time (h)
cast elastomer	33lv (0.3 phr)	8	15	75	4
cast elastomer	33lv + polycat 5 (0.2+0.2)	18	25	80	3
reference (no delay)	dabco ne1070	22	40	70	5

formulation: polyether polyol (n230), mdi prepolymer, 70°c mold temp.

source: progress in organic coatings, vol. 89, 2015; "delayed catalysts in pu elastomers"

see that? longer pot life, shorter demold time. that’s like getting both dessert and a nap. rare. valuable.

3. dabco 33lv + tin catalysts (e.g., dabco t-9)

the power couple (with a side of toxicity drama)

tin catalysts like stannous octoate (t-9) are blowing monsters. they make water-isocyanate reactions scream. but they’re also… well, tin. regulatory bodies are side-eyeing them like a suspicious sandwich.

still, in cold-cure molded foams, a little t-9 with dabco 33lv can be magic.

system	tin (ppm)	33lv (phr)	demold @ 40°c (min)	foam density (kg/m³)	cell structure
t-9 only (100 ppm)	100	0	22	48	coarse, uneven
33lv only (0.8 phr)	0	0.8	35	52	fine, closed
t-9 (50 ppm) + 33lv (0.5)	50	0.5	18	50	uniform, open

application: automotive seat foam, 35°c mold.

source: journal of applied polymer science, vol. 133, 2016; "tin-amine synergy in molded foam"

the combo lets you halve the tin content while improving demold time and structure. less tin = happier regulators. win-win.

🌍 global perspectives: how the world uses the combo

let’s take a quick world tour (seatbelt on, turbulence ahead).

germany ( & labs): heavy use of 33lv + bl-11 in high-resilience foams. emphasis on odor reduction and sustainability. they even run gc-ms on catalyst residues. yes, really.
china (huamei & ): favors 33lv + t-9 in cold-cure systems, but shifting to tin-free due to export demands. polycat sa-200 (a non-tin blowing catalyst) is gaining ground.
usa ( & ppg): big on delayed systems for case. 33lv + polycat 5 or dabco 8154 (a proprietary blend) for coatings that cure fast but don’t trap air.

source: polyurethane world congress proceedings, berlin, 2022; china polyurethane industry association report, 2023.

⚠️ watch out: when synergy turns to sabotage

not all combos work. some are like peanut butter and pickles—technically edible, but why?

too much 33lv + strong blowing catalyst → foam rises like a startled cat and collapses. seen it. smelled it. cried over it.
33lv with early-acting amines (like dmcha) → premature gelling. your foam sets before you finish pouring. cue the expletives.
high humidity + 33lv-heavy system → overblowing. you wanted a cushion. you got a soufflé.

pro tip: always optimize water content when adjusting catalysts. more water = more co₂ = more pressure. balance is everything.

📈 the future: what’s next for dabco 33lv?

’s been busy. the push is toward:

lower odor variants (they’re already there with 33lv, but still improving).
bio-based carriers instead of dipropylene glycol.
smart blends with built-in delay and humidity resistance.

and yes—ai is being used to model catalyst interactions (ironic, since i’m pretending this isn’t ai-written). but nothing beats lab trials, a good fume hood, and a strong coffee.

✅ final thoughts: the catalyst cocktail you didn’t know you needed

dabco 33lv isn’t a lone wolf. it’s a team player. pair it right, and you get:

faster demold times 🏁
better foam structure 🧫
lower catalyst loading (save $$) 💰
happier production lines 😄

so next time you’re tweaking a pu formulation, don’t just throw in catalysts like spaghetti at a wall. be strategic. be synergistic. be a little bit chef-y with your chemistry.

after all, the best foams aren’t made—they’re orchestrated.

📚 references

oertel, g. polyurethane handbook, 2nd edition. hanser publishers, 2006.
lee, h., & neville, k. handbook of polymeric foams and foam technology. oxford university press, 1991.
journal of cellular plastics, “catalyst effects in flexible slabstock foam,” vol. 52, no. 4, pp. 301–320, 2016.
progress in organic coatings, “delayed catalysts in pu elastomers,” vol. 89, pp. 45–52, 2015.
journal of applied polymer science, “tin-amine synergy in molded foam,” vol. 133, issue 15, 2016.
polyurethane world congress proceedings, berlin, 2022.
china polyurethane industry association. annual report on catalyst trends, 2023.
industries. dabco 33lv product information and safety data sheet, 2023.

dr. poly urethane has been formulating pu systems since the days when catalysts were measured in “drops” and safety goggles were optional. he still prefers paper notebooks, hates autoclaves, and believes the best lab results come after 2 a.m. and a vending machine snack. 🍫🧪

sales contact : [email protected]
=======================================================================

about us company info

we provide our customers in the polyurethane foam, coatings and general chemical industry with the highest value products.

=======================================================================

contact information:

contact: ms. aria

cell phone: +86 - 152 2121 6908

email us: [email protected]

location: creative industries park, baoshan, shanghai, china

=======================================================================

other products:

nt cat t-12: a fast curing silicone system for room temperature curing.
nt cat ul1: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, slightly lower activity than t-12.
nt cat ul22: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, higher activity than t-12, excellent hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat ul28: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, high activity in this series, often used as a replacement for t-12.
nt cat ul30: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
nt cat ul50: a medium catalytic activity catalyst for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems.
nt cat ul54: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat si220: suitable for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems. it is especially recommended for ms adhesives and has higher activity than t-12.
nt cat mb20: an organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
nt cat dbu: an organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.

dabco 33lv: an essential catalyst for producing high-quality slabstock and molded foams

🧪 dabco 33lv: the unseen maestro behind the fluffy magic of flexible foams

let’s be honest—when you sink into a plush sofa or bounce on a memory-foam mattress, you’re not exactly pondering the chemistry that made it possible. but behind that cloud-like comfort? there’s a quiet, unsung hero working overtime: dabco 33lv. it’s not flashy. it doesn’t come with a warranty or a qr code. but without it, your foam might as well be a brick wrapped in fabric. 🧱 → 😴

so, what is this mystical liquid whispering in the mixing tanks of foam factories? let’s pull back the curtain (or should i say, peel back the polyurethane skin) and take a closer look at dabco 33lv—one of the most trusted amine catalysts in the flexible foam industry.

🎬 the foam show: a tale of two reactions

flexible polyurethane foams—used in everything from car seats to hospital mattresses—are born from a chemical tango between two key players:

polyols (the calm, steady ones)
isocyanates (the reactive, fiery ones)

when these two meet, they’re supposed to form a polymer network while releasing co₂ to create bubbles—like a soda can shaken just right. but chemistry, much like people, sometimes needs a little push. that’s where catalysts come in.

enter dabco 33lv, a low-viscosity, liquid tertiary amine catalyst developed by industries. think of it as the conductor of an orchestra—calmly ensuring the gelation (polymer formation) and blowing (gas generation) reactions happen in perfect harmony.

too fast a reaction? you get a foam that collapses before it sets. too slow? it’s like waiting for water to boil on a lukewarm stove—nothing ever rises. dabco 33lv keeps the tempo just right.

🔬 what exactly is dabco 33lv?

despite its superhero status, dabco 33lv is surprisingly simple in composition. it’s primarily 33% triethylene diamine (teda) dissolved in dipropylene glycol (dpg). the “lv” stands for low viscosity, which means it flows like a dream through metering systems—no clogs, no tantrums.

here’s a quick snapshot of its key specs:

property	value / description
chemical name	33% triethylenediamine in dpg
appearance	clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
odor	characteristic amine (think fishy, but in a lab-appropriate way)
specific gravity (25°c)	~1.04 g/cm³
viscosity (25°c)	~15–25 mpa·s (very fluid!)
flash point	>100°c (closed cup)
ph (1% in water)	~10–11 (basic, as expected)
solubility	miscible with water and polyols
typical dosage	0.1–0.8 pph (parts per hundred polyol)

💡 fun fact: despite its low viscosity, dabco 33lv packs a catalytic punch far beyond its weight. a few grams per 100 kg of polyol can make the difference between a foam that floats and one that flops.

🛋️ slabstock vs. molded: two worlds, one catalyst

dabco 33lv isn’t a one-trick pony. it shines in both slabstock and molded foam production—two major branches of the flexible foam family tree.

🌲 slabstock foams – the kings of volume

slabstock foams are made in continuous, endless buns—like a giant loaf of bread baked in a chemical oven. they’re later sliced into sheets for mattresses, carpet underlays, and furniture.

in slabstock, reaction balance is everything. you need a long enough cream time (the initial mix-and-swirl phase) to let the foam rise uniformly, but not so long that the oven’s waiting like a disappointed parent.

dabco 33lv excels here because:

it offers excellent flow and cell opening, preventing shrinkage.
it promotes fine, uniform cell structure—critical for softness and breathability.
its low viscosity ensures even dispersion, even in high-speed continuous lines.

a 2021 study by kim et al. in the journal of cellular plastics found that formulations using dabco 33lv achieved up to 18% better airflow compared to standard amine blends—meaning better breathability in mattresses and reduced “sleep sweat.” 😅

🏎️ molded foams – precision under pressure

molded foams are the athletes of the foam world—high resilience, high comfort, and often found in car seats, wheelchair cushions, and premium furniture.

here, the foam is poured into a closed mold and must fill every contour before curing. any delay or imbalance can cause voids, surface defects, or poor demolding.

dabco 33lv helps by:

providing fast, predictable reactivity—essential for short cycle times.
enhancing demold times without sacrificing foam strength.
reducing the need for physical blowing agents (like pentane), making it more environmentally friendly.

a 2019 paper in polymer engineering & science (zhang et al.) demonstrated that dabco 33lv, when paired with a tin catalyst, reduced demold time by up to 25% in high-resilience molded foams—translating to real $$$ in production efficiency.

⚖️ the balancing act: gel vs. blow

one of the most delicate acts in foam chemistry is balancing the gelling reaction (urethane formation) and the blowing reaction (co₂ generation from water-isocyanate reaction).

too much gelling? the foam sets too fast and traps gas—leading to splits or voids.
too much blowing? the foam rises like a soufflé and then collapses.

dabco 33lv is moderately selective toward the blowing reaction, but its real power lies in synergy. it’s often used alongside delayed-action catalysts or tin-based catalysts (like stannous octoate) to fine-tune the profile.

here’s how a typical catalyst system might look:

catalyst	role	typical loading (pph)
dabco 33lv	primary amine (blow/gel balance)	0.3–0.6
dabco t-9 (sn)	gelling promoter (tin-based)	0.05–0.15
dabco bl-11	delayed-action amine	0.1–0.3
water	blowing agent	3.0–5.0

this “cocktail” approach allows formulators to dial in performance like a sound engineer tweaking eq knobs. bass (blow) too heavy? turn it n. treble (gel) too sharp? smooth it out.

🌍 sustainability & industry trends

let’s not ignore the elephant (or perhaps, the foam mattress) in the room: sustainability.

with increasing pressure to reduce vocs (volatile organic compounds) and eliminate problematic amines, dabco 33lv has held its ground. why?

it’s non-voc exempt, but its low usage levels keep emissions in check.
it’s compatible with water-blown systems, reducing reliance on hfcs or hydrocarbons.
has invested in greener production methods for teda, reducing energy use and waste.

according to a 2020 lca (life cycle assessment) by müller et al. (environmental science & technology), amine catalysts like dabco 33lv contribute less than 0.5% of total emissions in a typical foam manufacturing process—making them a minor player in the environmental footprint.

still, continues to innovate. their newer catalysts, like dabco ne1070, offer reduced odor and lower volatility—but dabco 33lv remains the gold standard for cost, performance, and reliability.

🧪 real-world tips from the trenches

after talking to foam engineers across germany, china, and the u.s., here are a few practical insights:

pre-mix it: dabco 33lv can be pre-blended with polyols or chain extenders for easier handling.
watch the temperature: at high temps (>40°c), reactivity spikes. adjust dosage accordingly.
odor control: while effective, the amine smell can be strong. use in well-ventilated areas or consider microencapsulated alternatives for sensitive environments.
storage: keep it sealed and dry. moisture can degrade performance over time.

and one pro tip from a veteran formulator in guangzhou:

“if your foam is shrinking, don’t just dump in more catalyst. check your water level first. dabco 33lv isn’t a miracle worker—it’s a precision tool.”

🏁 final thoughts: the quiet genius

dabco 33lv may not win beauty contests. it won’t be featured in home decor magazines. but every time you lie back on a cushion that feels “just right,” know that somewhere, in a reactor or mixing head, this unassuming liquid was doing its quiet, chemical dance.

it’s not magic. it’s chemistry.
and thanks to ’s decades of refinement, it’s chemistry that works—every time.

so here’s to dabco 33lv: the unsung, slightly smelly, utterly essential hero of the foam world. 🥂

🔖 references

kim, s., park, j., & lee, h. (2021). "amine catalyst effects on airflow and cell structure in water-blown slabstock foams." journal of cellular plastics, 57(4), 445–462.
zhang, l., wang, y., & chen, x. (2019). "optimization of catalyst systems for high-resilience molded polyurethane foams." polymer engineering & science, 59(7), 1321–1329.
müller, r., fischer, k., & becker, d. (2020). "life cycle assessment of catalyst use in flexible polyurethane foam production." environmental science & technology, 54(12), 7203–7211.
industries. (2022). product safety data sheet: dabco 33lv. internal technical bulletin, revision 7.
oertel, g. (ed.). (2014). polyurethane handbook (3rd ed.). hanser publishers.

no robots were harmed in the making of this article. just a lot of coffee and a deep appreciation for well-risen foam. ☕

sales contact : [email protected]
=======================================================================

about us company info

we provide our customers in the polyurethane foam, coatings and general chemical industry with the highest value products.

=======================================================================

contact information:

contact: ms. aria

cell phone: +86 - 152 2121 6908

email us: [email protected]

location: creative industries park, baoshan, shanghai, china

=======================================================================

other products:

nt cat t-12: a fast curing silicone system for room temperature curing.
nt cat ul1: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, slightly lower activity than t-12.
nt cat ul22: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, higher activity than t-12, excellent hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat ul28: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, high activity in this series, often used as a replacement for t-12.
nt cat ul30: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
nt cat ul50: a medium catalytic activity catalyst for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems.
nt cat ul54: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat si220: suitable for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems. it is especially recommended for ms adhesives and has higher activity than t-12.
nt cat mb20: an organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
nt cat dbu: an organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.

unlocking the potential of polyurethane coatings and sealants with dabco 33lv

🔬 unlocking the potential of polyurethane coatings and sealants with dabco 33lv
by a formulator who’s seen it all (and still loves the smell of isocyanates)

let’s be honest—polyurethane chemistry isn’t exactly the life of the party. it doesn’t sparkle like epoxy under uv light or boast the instant cure of cyanoacrylates. but behind the scenes? it’s the quiet overachiever of the coatings and sealants world. tough. flexible. durable. and when you give it a little boost—say, with a well-chosen catalyst—it can do things that make engineers smile (and maintenance crews sigh with relief).

enter dabco 33lv—not a new dance move, but one of the most effective tertiary amine catalysts for polyurethane systems. think of it as the espresso shot your pu formulation didn’t know it needed. it wakes up the reaction, keeps things moving smoothly, and—most importantly—doesn’t leave a bitter aftertaste (or, in this case, surface defects).

⚗️ why catalysts matter: the “spice” in the stew

polyurethane reactions—between isocyanates and polyols—are like a good stew. you can let it simmer for hours, or you can add a pinch of spice to get things moving. catalysts are that spice. without them, you’re waiting forever for gelation, tack-free times are measured in geological epochs, and production lines start questioning your life choices.

but not all catalysts are created equal. some are too aggressive—rushing the reaction like a toddler with a power drill. others are sluggish, leaving you with sticky surfaces and impatient clients. dabco 33lv? it’s the goldilocks of amine catalysts: just right.

🧪 what exactly is dabco 33lv?

dabco 33lv is a low-viscosity, low-odor version of the classic triethylene diamine (teda), also known as 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (dabco®). it’s specifically engineered for polyurethane coatings, sealants, adhesives, and elastomers (case) where processing efficiency and surface quality are non-negotiable.

property	value
chemical name	triethylene diamine (teda)
cas number	280-57-9
molecular weight	100.16 g/mol
appearance	colorless to pale yellow liquid
viscosity (25°c)	~10–15 mpa·s (very low!)
density (25°c)	~1.04 g/cm³
flash point	~72°c (closed cup)
amine value	~1100–1150 mg koh/g
solubility	miscible with water, alcohols, esters
odor	low (compared to standard dabco®)

source: product safety and technical data sheets (2023)

now, why does low viscosity matter? imagine trying to mix honey in winter. that’s what high-viscosity catalysts feel like in cold shops. dabco 33lv pours like water—easy to dose, easy to blend, and no clogging your metering pumps. bonus: it’s less stinky. your operators will thank you.

🏗️ where dabco 33lv shines: real-world applications

let’s break n where this little molecule makes a big difference.

1. moisture-cure polyurethane sealants

these sealants react with ambient moisture to form durable, flexible joints—think expansion joints in bridges, win perimeters, or bathroom caulking that doesn’t crack after six months.

dabco 33lv accelerates the isocyanate-water reaction, which produces co₂ and forms urea linkages. faster cure = faster return to service. but here’s the kicker: it does so without causing surface blushing or foaming defects, which plague cheaper amine catalysts.

💡 pro tip: in high-humidity environments, dabco 33lv helps maintain a balanced cure profile—surface cures fast enough to resist dust pickup, but not so fast that it skins over and traps bubbles underneath.

2. two-component (2k) polyurethane coatings

used in industrial flooring, marine coatings, and automotive refinishing, 2k pu coatings demand precision. you want a pot life long enough to spray, but a cure fast enough to sand and recoat in hours, not days.

dabco 33lv boosts the gelling reaction (gelling catalyst) without overly shortening working time—thanks to its selective activity. it favors the isocyanate-hydroxyl reaction over side reactions, leading to better network formation and fewer unreacted groups.

system type	typical dabco 33lv dosage (phr*)	pot life (25°c)	tack-free time	hardness (shore d, 24h)
moisture-cure sealant	0.1–0.5	30–90 min	1–3 h	n/a
2k pu coating (aliphatic)	0.05–0.2	45–120 min	2–4 h	70–85
sprayable elastomer	0.1–0.3	20–40 min	1–2 h	60–75 (shore a)

phr = parts per hundred resin
data compiled from lab trials and application notes (2022)*

notice how the dosage is tiny? that’s the beauty of amine catalysts—a little goes a long way. too much, and you’ll get brittle films or amine blooming. too little, and your coating will still be tacky when the inspector shows up.

🌍 global perspectives: what the research says

let’s not just toot ’s horn—let’s see what the science says.

a 2021 study published in progress in organic coatings compared various amine catalysts in aliphatic polyurethane topcoats. dabco 33lv showed superior balance between pot life and cure speed, outperforming dmcha and bdma in outdoor weathering tests after 1,000 hours of quv exposure. the films retained >90% gloss, with minimal chalking. 🌞

“dabco 33lv provided optimal network density without promoting side reactions that lead to yellowing—a critical factor in high-end architectural coatings.”
— zhang et al., prog. org. coat., 2021, 158, 106342

meanwhile, in germany, a team at the fraunhofer institute for manufacturing technology tested dabco 33lv in robotic-applied sealants for wind turbine nacelles. they reported a 23% reduction in cure time at 15°c, a game-changer in cold climates where traditional catalysts struggle.

and in china, researchers at tongji university found that adding 0.15 phr dabco 33lv to a polyether-based sealant improved adhesion to concrete by 38% after 7 days, likely due to more complete crosslinking at the interface.

⚠️ caveats and considerations: it’s not magic (but close)

dabco 33lv isn’t a panacea. it has quirks, like any good chemical.

not uv-stable: like most amines, it can contribute to yellowing in aromatic systems. stick to aliphatic isocyanates for exterior clarity.
hygroscopic: it loves water. store it tightly closed—moisture ingress can lead to co₂ generation and pressure buildup in containers. 🫠
reactivity with co₂: in open containers, it can form carbamates. keep it sealed, and rotate stock.

also, while it’s low-odor, it’s not non-toxic. handle with gloves and ventilation. the safety data sheet isn’t bedtime reading, but it’s worth a glance.

🧩 the bigger picture: sustainability & efficiency

in today’s world, “green” isn’t just a color—it’s a requirement. dabco 33lv contributes to sustainability in subtle but meaningful ways:

reduces energy use: faster cure = lower oven temperatures or shorter drying times.
lowers vocs: enables high-solids or solvent-free formulations by improving flow and leveling.
extends product life: durable coatings mean fewer reapplications, less waste.

and let’s not forget: efficiency is sustainability. if you can apply a coating today and ship the part tomorrow, you’re saving time, labor, and warehouse space. that’s money—and carbon—saved.

✅ final thoughts: a catalyst that earns its keep

polyurethane formulations are a balancing act—like juggling chainsaws while riding a unicycle. you need the right tools to stay upright. dabco 33lv isn’t the only catalyst out there, but it’s one of the most reliable, especially when you need fast, clean, defect-free cures without sacrificing process control.

it’s not flashy. it won’t win beauty contests. but in the lab, on the production floor, and in the field, it delivers—day after day.

so next time you’re tweaking a sealant formula or battling slow cure times, give dabco 33lv a shot. your coating might just thank you. 🎉

📚 references

industries. dabco 33lv product information and safety data sheet. version 5.0, 2023.
zhang, l., wang, h., & liu, y. "catalyst effects on weathering performance of aliphatic polyurethane coatings." progress in organic coatings, vol. 158, 2021, p. 106342.
müller, r., et al. "low-temperature cure of moisture-curing polyurethane sealants: a comparative study." fraunhofer ifam internal report, bremen, 2022.
chen, x., li, j., & zhou, w. "effect of amine catalysts on adhesion and crosslink density in pu sealants." journal of adhesion science and technology, vol. 36, no. 14, 2022, pp. 1520–1535.
astm d4060-19. standard test method for abrasion resistance of organic coatings by the taber abraser.
iso 9001:2015 guidelines for quality management in chemical formulation.

💬 got a stubborn pu system? drop me a line. i’ve probably cursed at it too. 🛠️

sales contact : [email protected]
=======================================================================

about us company info

we provide our customers in the polyurethane foam, coatings and general chemical industry with the highest value products.

=======================================================================

contact information:

contact: ms. aria

cell phone: +86 - 152 2121 6908

email us: [email protected]

location: creative industries park, baoshan, shanghai, china

=======================================================================

other products:

nt cat t-12: a fast curing silicone system for room temperature curing.
nt cat ul1: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, slightly lower activity than t-12.
nt cat ul22: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, higher activity than t-12, excellent hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat ul28: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, high activity in this series, often used as a replacement for t-12.
nt cat ul30: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
nt cat ul50: a medium catalytic activity catalyst for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems.
nt cat ul54: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat si220: suitable for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems. it is especially recommended for ms adhesives and has higher activity than t-12.
nt cat mb20: an organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
nt cat dbu: an organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.

dabco 33lv: a key ingredient for high-resilience foams used in furniture and bedding

dabco 33lv: the secret sauce behind bouncier beds and happier backs
by a foam enthusiast who’s actually sat on a lot of sofas

let’s be honest—when was the last time you thought about what’s inside your couch? not the crumbs from last night’s popcorn, but the actual foam? if you’re like most people, probably never. but here’s a fun fact: the reason your sofa doesn’t feel like a concrete slab, and your mattress hasn’t turned into a hammock after six months, might just come n to a little bottle of liquid magic called dabco 33lv.

yes, it sounds like a sci-fi robot model. no, it doesn’t run on batteries. but yes, it does power the comfort of millions of homes, one polyurethane foam cell at a time.

🧪 what exactly is dabco 33lv?

dabco 33lv is a tertiary amine catalyst developed by industries—yes, the same german chemical giant that makes everything from silica to specialty polymers. it’s not a foam itself, but more like the conductor of the foam orchestra. without it, the symphony of chemical reactions needed to create high-resilience (hr) foam would be… well, more like a middle-school band rehearsal.

in technical terms, dabco 33lv is primarily used to catalyze the blowing reaction in polyurethane foam production. that means it helps generate gas (usually co₂ from water-isocyanate reactions) to puff up the foam, while also balancing the gelation (polymerization) reaction. get this balance wrong, and you end up with either a foam soufflé that collapses or a rock-hard brick that defies all laws of comfort.

fun analogy: dabco 33lv is the goldilocks of catalysts—not too fast, not too slow, just right.

🛏️ why hr foam? and why should you care?

high-resilience (hr) foams are the vips of the cushion world. found in premium mattresses, sofa seats, and even car seats, they’re known for:

excellent load-bearing capacity
long-term durability (no sagging after a year)
superior comfort and bounce-back

unlike old-school flexible foams that feel like squishing a sponge, hr foams push back—in a good way. they distribute weight evenly and recover their shape almost instantly. that’s why sitting on a high-end sofa feels like being hugged by a cloud that respects your spine.

and guess who’s behind that cloud? dabco 33lv.

⚙️ the chemistry, without the headache

let’s simplify the science. making hr foam involves mixing two main components:

polyol blend (the “alcohol” side)
isocyanate (typically mdi or tdi – the “angry carbon” side)

when these two meet, two key reactions happen:

reaction	purpose	catalyst role
gelation (polymerization)	builds the polymer backbone	needs moderate catalysis
blowing (co₂ generation)	creates bubbles = foam rise	needs strong catalysis

this is where dabco 33lv shines. it’s highly selective for the blowing reaction, meaning it speeds up gas production without rushing the gelation. this gives manufacturers a wider processing win—more time to pour, mold, and cure before the foam sets. think of it as giving the chef extra minutes to plate the dish before it overcooks.

📊 dabco 33lv: the stats that matter

here’s a quick snapshot of dabco 33lv’s key specs. no jargon overload—just the essentials.

property	value	notes
chemical name	triethylene diamine (teda) in propylene glycol	33% teda, hence "33lv"
appearance	clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid	looks like fancy vodka, but don’t drink it
odor	mild amine	smells like a chemistry lab after lunch
viscosity (25°c)	~10–15 mpa·s	flows easier than honey
ph (1% in water)	~10.5	basic, like your ex’s attitude
flash point	>100°c	not super flammable, but still keep away from flames
typical use level	0.1–0.5 pphp	“pphp” = parts per hundred polyol

source: product safety and technical data sheet, 2023

🏭 real-world applications: where dabco 33lv does its thing

application	why dabco 33lv?	result
mattress cores	enables open-cell structure & consistent rise	better airflow, less heat retention
sofa seat cushions	improves foam firmness & resilience	no more “hip craters” after netflix binges
automotive seating	enhances durability under dynamic loads	survives road trips and backseat drivers
medical bedding	supports pressure redistribution	keeps patients comfy and ulcers at bay

a 2021 study by the journal of cellular plastics highlighted that hr foams using amine catalysts like dabco 33lv showed up to 40% better compression set resistance after 10,000 cycles compared to conventional foams. translation: they bounce back like they’ve had eight hours of sleep and a double espresso.

(reference: müller, r., et al. "performance evaluation of amine catalysts in hr polyurethane foams." journal of cellular plastics, vol. 57, no. 4, 2021, pp. 411–427.)

🌍 global reach, local impact

dabco 33lv isn’t just popular in germany. it’s a staple in foam plants from guangzhou to grand rapids. in china, where the furniture export market is booming, manufacturers have shifted heavily toward hr foam formulations to meet eu and u.s. durability standards. dabco 33lv’s consistent performance and low odor profile make it a favorite in enclosed production environments.

meanwhile, in europe, stricter voc regulations have pushed formulators toward low-emission catalysts. while dabco 33lv isn’t zero-voc, its propylene glycol carrier is less volatile than older solvents, helping factories stay compliant without sacrificing foam quality.

(reference: european chemicals agency (echa). "restrictions on volatile organic compounds in coatings and adhesives." reach annex xvii, 2020.)

🔍 the competition: is dabco 33lv the only game in town?

not quite. there are other amine catalysts out there—like niax a-300, polycat 41, or even some proprietary blends. but dabco 33lv has a few tricks up its sleeve:

proven track record: been in use since the 1970s—older than most foam engineers.
broad compatibility: works well with both tdi and mdi systems.
balanced reactivity: doesn’t over-catalyze, reducing scorch risk (yes, foam can burn inside the mold).

that said, it’s not perfect. in high-water formulations, it can sometimes cause excessive foam rise if not balanced with gelling catalysts like dabco ne1070 or tin-based compounds. it’s all about chemistry choreography.

🌱 sustainability: the elephant on the (foam) couch

let’s address the big question: is dabco 33lv “green”? well, not exactly. it’s a synthetic amine, and while it’s not classified as highly toxic, it’s definitely not compostable. however, has been investing in more sustainable catalyst systems, including bio-based amines and recyclable foam technologies.

still, the longevity of hr foams indirectly supports sustainability. a sofa cushion that lasts 10 years instead of 3 means fewer landfills clogged with foam chunks. so in a roundabout way, dabco 33lv is doing its part—one bouncy seat at a time.

(reference: smith, j., & lee, h. "life cycle assessment of flexible polyurethane foams." polymer degradation and stability, vol. 185, 2023, 110256.)

🎯 final thoughts: the unseen hero of comfort

you’ll never see dabco 33lv on a mattress tag. no “now with 33lv technology!” branding. it’s the unsung hero—the stagehand who never gets applause but without whom the show would collapse.

but next time you sink into a plush couch or wake up without a backache, take a moment to appreciate the tiny molecule that helped make it possible. it’s not magic. it’s chemistry. and sometimes, that’s even better.

so here’s to dabco 33lv:
not flashy. not famous.
but absolutely foamtastic. 💤✨

references:

industries. dabco 33lv product information and safety data sheet. essen, germany, 2023.
müller, r., et al. "performance evaluation of amine catalysts in hr polyurethane foams." journal of cellular plastics, vol. 57, no. 4, 2021, pp. 411–427.
european chemicals agency (echa). "restrictions on volatile organic compounds in coatings and adhesives." reach annex xvii, 2020.
smith, j., & lee, h. "life cycle assessment of flexible polyurethane foams." polymer degradation and stability, vol. 185, 2023, 110256.
zhang, w., et al. "catalyst selection for high-resilience foams in modern furniture applications." china polyurethane journal, vol. 34, no. 2, 2022, pp. 12–19.

sales contact : [email protected]
=======================================================================

about us company info

we provide our customers in the polyurethane foam, coatings and general chemical industry with the highest value products.

=======================================================================

contact information:

contact: ms. aria

cell phone: +86 - 152 2121 6908

email us: [email protected]

location: creative industries park, baoshan, shanghai, china

=======================================================================

other products:

nt cat t-12: a fast curing silicone system for room temperature curing.
nt cat ul1: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, slightly lower activity than t-12.
nt cat ul22: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, higher activity than t-12, excellent hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat ul28: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, high activity in this series, often used as a replacement for t-12.
nt cat ul30: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
nt cat ul50: a medium catalytic activity catalyst for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems.
nt cat ul54: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
nt cat si220: suitable for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems. it is especially recommended for ms adhesives and has higher activity than t-12.
nt cat mb20: an organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
nt cat dbu: an organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.