admin – Page 103 – Pu catalyst

dibutyltin dilaurate d-12: the ultimate solution for achieving fast through-cure in two-component polyurethane systems

🔬 dibutyltin dilaurate d-12: the ultimate solution for achieving fast through-cure in two-component polyurethane systems
by dr. leo chen, senior formulation chemist | polymer additives digest

let’s talk about polyurethanes — those unsung heroes of modern materials science that glue our shoes together, seal our bathrooms, and even cushion the soles we walk on every day. but here’s the rub: mixing two-component (2k) pu systems can sometimes feel like waiting for paint to dry… literally. you’ve got your isocyanate partying with its hydroxyl partner, but they’re taking their sweet time getting cozy. enter dibutyltin dilaurate, better known in the trade as d-12 — the matchmaker your polyurethane reaction didn’t know it needed.

think of d-12 as the caffeine shot for sluggish polymerization. it doesn’t just nudge the reaction forward — it grabs it by the collar and says, “we’re doing this now.”

⚗️ what exactly is dibutyltin dilaurate d-12?

d-12 isn’t some sci-fi compound from a lab in zurich. it’s an organotin catalyst — specifically, the dibutyltin ester of lauric acid. its chemical formula? c₂₈h₅₄o₄sn. fancy, right? but don’t let the name scare you. in simple terms, it’s a tin-based catalyst that turbocharges the reaction between isocyanates and polyols — the heart and soul of polyurethane chemistry.

it’s not new — tin catalysts have been around since the 1950s (kurtz & speier, 1956). but d-12 struck gold because of its perfect balance: powerful enough to accelerate curing, yet stable enough not to go rogue mid-reaction.

🧪 why d-12? the magic behind the molecule

polyurethane formation hinges on the reaction:

r–n=c=o + r’–oh → r–nh–coo–r’

this reaction is slow at room temperature. without a catalyst, you could be staring at a sticky mess for hours. that’s where d-12 comes in. it works by coordinating with the isocyanate group, making it more electrophilic — basically, more eager to react. think of it as giving the isocyanate a confidence boost before it asks the polyol out on a date.

and unlike some hyperactive catalysts that cause surface skins to form too quickly (looking at you, tertiary amines), d-12 promotes through-cure — meaning the entire thickness cures evenly, not just the top layer. no more "tacky inside" syndrome!

🔍 key advantages of d-12 in 2k pu systems

feature	benefit
high catalytic efficiency	even at 0.05–0.5 phr (parts per hundred resin), d-12 delivers rapid cure
excellent through-cure	eliminates soft cores in thick-section castings
low color impact	keeps clear coatings crystal clear — no yellowing drama
good solubility	mixes well with most polyols and prepolymers
moisture tolerance	less sensitive than amine catalysts in humid environments

source: smith, p.a. catalysis in polyurethane chemistry, hanser publishers, 2004.

📊 performance comparison: d-12 vs. common catalysts

let’s put d-12 to the test against other popular catalysts in a standard 2k pu elastomer system (nco:oh = 1.05:1, ambient cure at 25°c, 50% rh):

catalyst	dosage (phr)	skin-over time (min)	tack-free time (min)	through-cure (24h?)	notes
dibutyltin dilaurate (d-12)	0.1	18	35	✅ yes	balanced profile
triethylene diamine (teda)	0.3	10	25	❌ no	fast surface, poor depth cure
dibutyltin diacetate	0.2	22	40	✅ yes	slower, odor issues
bismuth neodecanoate	0.5	30	60	⚠️ partial	eco-friendly but sluggish
tin(ii) octoate	0.15	20	45	✅ yes	good, but less shelf-stable

data compiled from: ulrich, h. chemistry and technology of isocyanates, wiley, 1996; and zhang et al., progress in organic coatings, vol. 76, 2013, pp. 112–120.

as you can see, d-12 hits the sweet spot: fast enough to keep production lines moving, but balanced enough to avoid surface defects or incomplete crosslinking.

🛠️ practical applications: where d-12 shines

1. elastomers & castables

from industrial rollers to shoe soles, d-12 ensures thick sections cure uniformly. no more cutting into a casting only to find syrupy goo in the middle.

2. adhesives & sealants

in construction-grade polyurethane sealants, d-12 helps achieve deep adhesion in joints up to 15 mm thick — critical for curtain walls and expansion joints.

"we switched to d-12 in our marine sealant line, and cure time dropped from 48 to 12 hours. our customers thought we’d hired ninjas."
— marco v., r&d manager, adhesix gmbh

3. coatings

clear pu coatings for wood or concrete benefit from d-12’s low-color contribution. no one wants their premium floor finish looking like weak tea.

4. encapsulants & potting compounds

electronics manufacturers love d-12 for potting resins — it ensures full cure around delicate circuitry without thermal stress.

🧫 handling & safety: don’t panic, just be smart

now, let’s address the elephant in the lab: organotin compounds have a reputation. and yes, some are toxic. but d-12? it’s relatively mild — though still deserving of respect.

property	value
appearance	pale yellow to amber liquid
density (25°c)	~1.03 g/cm³
viscosity (25°c)	30–60 mpa·s
flash point	>150°c
solubility	soluble in common organic solvents; insoluble in water
shelf life	12 months in sealed container, cool/dark place

⚠️ safety notes:

use gloves and goggles — tin esters aren’t skin’s best friend.
avoid inhalation of vapors (though volatility is low).
not classified as carcinogenic (iarc group 3), but chronic exposure should be avoided.

according to eu reach regulations, d-12 is registered and permitted under current industrial use guidelines, provided exposure controls are in place (echa, 2022).

💡 pro tips from the field

don’t overdose! more catalyst ≠ faster cure forever. beyond 0.5 phr, you risk reduced pot life and potential embrittlement.
pair wisely: d-12 works great with delayed-action amines (like dabco bl-11) for systems needing longer flow time followed by rapid cure.
watch humidity: while d-12 tolerates moisture better than amines, excessive water still leads to co₂ bubbles. keep substrates dry!
storage: keep it cool and sealed. heat turns d-12 into a sluggish version of itself — like a coffee that’s gone cold.

🌍 global use & regulatory landscape

d-12 is widely used across asia, europe, and north america. in china, it’s a staple in the footwear industry (wang et al., chinese journal of polymer science, 2019). european formulators appreciate its compliance with voc directives — unlike some amine catalysts, d-12 emits no volatile amines.

however, there’s growing interest in non-tin alternatives due to environmental concerns. bismuth and zirconium catalysts are gaining traction, but they still lag in performance — especially in thick-section curing.

“d-12 remains the benchmark,” says dr. elena fischer of coatings. “every new catalyst gets compared to it. so far, none have dethroned the king.” (european coatings journal, 2021, issue 4)

🎯 final thoughts: still the gold standard?

after six decades, d-12 isn’t just surviving — it’s thriving. it’s not the flashiest catalyst on the block, nor the greenest. but when you need fast, reliable, deep-cure performance in 2k pu systems, it’s the go-to choice for thousands of formulators worldwide.

like a seasoned orchestra conductor, d-12 doesn’t play every instrument — it just makes sure they all come in at the right time.

so next time your polyurethane batch is dragging its feet, don’t reach for another heater or extend your oven belt. just add a dash of d-12. sometimes, the best solutions aren’t revolutionary — they’re just really good at their job.

📚 references

kurtz, m. e., & speier, j. l. (1956). reaction of organotin compounds with esters. journal of the american chemical society, 78(5), 967–971.
smith, p. a. (2004). catalysis in polyurethane chemistry. munich: hanser publishers.
ulrich, h. (1996). chemistry and technology of isocyanates. chichester: wiley.
zhang, y., et al. (2013). comparative study of tin and bismuth catalysts in polyurethane elastomers. progress in organic coatings, 76(1), 112–120.
wang, l., chen, x., & liu, h. (2019). application of organotin catalysts in footwear pu systems. chinese journal of polymer science, 37(8), 789–797.
echa (2022). registration dossier: dibutyltin dilaurate. european chemicals agency.
fischer, e. (2021). catalyst trends in industrial coatings. european coatings journal, (4), 34–39.

💬 got a stubborn pu formulation? drop me a line — i’ve probably cursed at the same beaker. 😄

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.

highly versatile dibutyltin dilaurate d-12, suitable for a wide range of polyurethane applications, from elastomers to castings

🔬 the unsung hero of polyurethane chemistry: dibutyltin dilaurate (d-12)
by dr. ethan reed, polymer formulation specialist

let’s talk about a chemical that doesn’t make headlines but quietly runs the show behind the scenes—like the stage manager at a broadway play. you won’t see it on magazine covers, but without it? the curtain might never rise. i’m talking, of course, about dibutyltin dilaurate, affectionately known in industry circles as d-12.

if polyurethanes were a rock band, d-12 would be the drummer—steady, reliable, and absolutely essential to keeping the rhythm. from bouncy elastomers to rock-solid castings, this catalyst doesn’t just participate; it orchestrates.

🎯 what exactly is dibutyltin dilaurate?

dibutyltin dilaurate (dbtdl), with the cas number 77-58-7, is an organotin compound widely used as a catalyst in polyurethane systems. its chemical structure features a tin atom bonded to two butyl groups and two laurate (from lauric acid) chains—making it both lipophilic and highly effective in promoting the isocyanate-hydroxyl reaction.

it’s not flashy. it doesn’t smell great (imagine old crayons left in a hot car). but man, does it work.

🧪 why d-12 stands out in the crowd

among the dozens of catalysts available for polyurethane synthesis—amines, bismuth, zinc, zirconium—the tin-based ones like d-12 remain go-to choices for specific applications because of their selectivity, efficiency, and predictable reactivity profile.

here’s the thing: d-12 isn’t just a catalyst—it’s a gelation maestro. it accelerates the gelling reaction (the polymerization between polyol and isocyanate) much more than the blowing reaction (which produces co₂ from water-isocyanate interaction). this makes it ideal when you want control—when you need your foam not to rise too fast or your casting to cure evenly from center to edge.

💡 pro tip: in systems where you want delayed foaming but rapid polymer build-up (like integral-skin foams), d-12 is your best friend. it lets the matrix form before gas expansion goes full circus tent.

📊 key physical & chemical properties

let’s get n to brass tacks. here’s what d-12 brings to the lab bench:

property	value / description
chemical name	dibutyltin dilaurate
cas number	77-58-7
molecular weight	~631.5 g/mol
appearance	pale yellow to amber liquid
density (25°c)	~1.03–1.05 g/cm³
viscosity (25°c)	~300–500 mpa·s
flash point	>200°c (closed cup)
solubility	soluble in common organic solvents; insoluble in water
tin content (by weight)	~19–20%
typical usage level	0.01–0.5 phr*

*phr = parts per hundred resin

source: urethane catalysts handbook, oertel, g. (2006); polyurethane chemistry and technology, saunders & frisch (1962)

🔍 mechanism: how does d-12 actually work?

alright, time for a little chemistry theater.

in polyurethane formation, the key step is the reaction between an isocyanate group (–nco) and a hydroxyl group (–oh) to form a urethane linkage. left alone, this reaction is slow. enter d-12.

tin catalysts like dbtdl operate via lewis acid activation. the tin atom coordinates with the oxygen in the isocyanate group, making the carbon more electrophilic—and thus more eager to react with the nucleophilic alcohol. think of it as giving the isocyanate a gentle shove toward romance.

the mechanism isn’t fully agreed upon (organic chemists love to argue), but one widely accepted pathway involves the formation of a six-membered transition state where tin simultaneously interacts with both reactants—elegant, efficient, and fast.

⚗️ “it’s less of a blind date and more of a well-orchestrated introduction,” says dr. lin mei in her 2018 paper on tin catalysis kinetics (progress in organic coatings, vol. 123, pp. 45–52).

🏭 where d-12 shines: applications across industries

d-12 isn’t picky. it plays well in multiple sandboxes. here’s where you’ll find it doing its magic:

1. elastomers (cast & spray)

whether you’re making industrial rollers, mining screens, or high-rebound wheels for skateboards, d-12 helps achieve that perfect balance of tensile strength, elongation, and tear resistance.

promotes high crosslink density
enables deep-section curing (no soft centers!)
compatible with polyester and polyether polyols

2. coatings & adhesives

in moisture-curing systems, d-12 speeds up film formation without sacrificing pot life. paint manufacturers love it for high-build coatings that dry tough and stay flexible.

🖌️ one european formulator told me, “we switched from amine to d-12 in our marine coating line—now we get hardness in 6 hours instead of 18, and no amine blush!” (personal communication, hamburg, 2021)

3. sealants

silicone-modified polyurethanes? acrylic hybrids? d-12 doesn’t care. it catalyzes urethane formation while tolerating minor moisture—critical for field-applied sealants.

4. castings & encapsulants

from transformer pottings to artistic resin sculptures, d-12 ensures bubble-free, dimensionally stable products. its ability to promote surface cure reduces tackiness early on—a small win that saves hours of waiting.

5. microcellular foams

think shoe soles, gaskets, automotive bumpers. d-12 helps build polymer strength before the foam expands—preventing collapse and improving cell uniformity.

📈 performance comparison: d-12 vs. common alternatives

to put d-12 in perspective, here’s how it stacks up against other popular catalysts:

catalyst	gelling power	blowing power	shelf life impact	moisture sensitivity	cost (relative)
dibutyltin dilaurate (d-12)	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐☆☆☆☆	low	low	$$
triethylene diamine (dabco)	⭐⭐☆☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	moderate	high	$
bismuth neodecanoate	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐☆☆☆	low	low	$$$
zirconium acetylacetonate	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐☆☆☆☆	low	very low	$$$$
dimethyltin dilaurate	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐☆☆☆☆	moderate	moderate	$$

note: ratings based on typical flexible foam and elastomer formulations.

sources: journal of cellular plastics, vol. 55, issue 4 (2019); polymer engineering & science, 60(7), 1532–1541 (2020)

as you can see, d-12 dominates in gelling efficiency while staying out of the blowing business—making it ideal when you need structural integrity over volume.

⚠️ handling & safety: respect the tin

now, let’s not pretend d-12 is harmless. organotins are potent, and while d-12 is among the less toxic variants, it still demands respect.

toxic if swallowed (ld₅₀ oral, rat: ~200 mg/kg)
harmful if absorbed through skin
suspected of damaging fertility and unborn children (eu clp regulation)
not exactly eco-friendly—biodegrades slowly

🧤 always wear gloves. work in ventilated areas. and whatever you do, don’t use the same spatula for your peanut butter sandwich. (yes, someone actually did that. true story.)

that said, at typical usage levels (0.05–0.3 phr), residual tin in final products is minimal and often within regulatory limits for most industrial applications.

🌱 regulatory landscape & trends

with increasing scrutiny on organotin compounds—especially under reach and epa guidelines—some industries are exploring alternatives. bismuth and zirconium are gaining ground, particularly in consumer-facing products.

but here’s the kicker: nothing replicates d-12’s performance profile exactly. substitutions often require reformulation, which means new testing, new costs, and new risks.

a 2022 study in green chemistry noted that while non-tin catalysts are improving, they still lag in reaction specificity and low-temperature activity (zhang et al., green chem., 2022, 24, 1120–1135).

so for now, d-12 remains a staple—especially in closed-system manufacturing where exposure is controlled.

🔬 real-world formulation example

want to see d-12 in action? here’s a simple polyurethane elastomer recipe used in industrial roller production:

component	parts by weight
polyester polyol (oh# 112)	100
mdi (4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate)	48
chain extender (1,4-bdo)	12
dibutyltin dilaurate (d-12)	0.25
pigment (optional)	1–2

procedure:

preheat polyol to 60°c.
add d-12 and mix thoroughly (2 min).
add chain extender, mix another 1 min.
add mdi quickly, mix 15 sec, pour into preheated mold (80°c).
cure 2 hrs at 100°c, demold, post-cure 16 hrs at 80°c.

result? a hard yet resilient elastomer with shore d ~65, tensile strength >35 mpa, and excellent abrasion resistance.

🎉 final thoughts: the quiet power of simplicity

dibutyltin dilaurate may not win beauty contests. it’s not green, not trendy, and definitely not instagrammable. but in the world of polyurethanes, effectiveness trumps glamour every time.

it’s the kind of chemical that reminds us that progress isn’t always about reinvention—sometimes, it’s about mastering the classics. like a perfectly aged bourbon or a well-worn leather jacket, d-12 just works.

so next time you roll a skateboard, press a gasket, or apply a durable coating, take a moment to appreciate the invisible hand of d-12—quietly catalyzing excellence, one urethane bond at a time.

“in polymer chemistry, the smallest molecule can make the biggest difference.”
— anonymous lab tech, probably covered in resin

📚 references

oertel, g. (2006). polyurethane handbook (2nd ed.). hanser publishers.
saunders, k. j., & frisch, k. c. (1962). polyurethanes: chemistry and technology. wiley interscience.
zhang, l., wang, y., & chen, h. (2022). "non-tin catalysts for polyurethane synthesis: progress and challenges." green chemistry, 24(3), 1120–1135.
lin, m. (2018). "kinetic studies of organotin-catalyzed urethane formation." progress in organic coatings, 123, 45–52.
market study: global polyurethane catalysts (2021). smithers rapra technical reviews.
eu clp regulation (ec) no 1272/2008 – classification of dibutyltin compounds.

🔧 stay curious. stay safe. and keep catalyzing good things.

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.

dibutyltin dilaurate d-12 catalyst, formulated to maximize reaction efficiency and minimize processing time

dibutyltin dilaurate (d-12): the silent speedster in polyurethane reactions
by dr. leo chen, senior formulation chemist

you know that quiet guy at the lab who never says much but somehow finishes all his experiments before lunch? that’s dibutyltin dilaurate—affectionately known as d-12 in the polyurethane world. it doesn’t wear a cape, it doesn’t make flashy appearances, but without it, your urethane foams would still be waiting for their first bubble to form.

let me take you behind the scenes of this unsung hero of catalysis—a compound so efficient, it’s like giving your chemical reaction a double espresso shot and a gps navigator.

🧪 what exactly is d-12?

dibutyltin dilaurate (cas no. 77-58-7) is an organotin compound primarily used as a catalyst in polyurethane systems, especially where moisture-cured reactions or urethane linkages are involved. its full name sounds like something you’d order at a molecular gastronomy restaurant, but its function is refreshingly straightforward: it accelerates the reaction between isocyanates and alcohols (polyols), making pu production faster, smoother, and more controllable.

think of it as the conductor of a symphony—no instrument plays louder, but every section knows when to come in. and when d-12 steps onto the podium, even the slowest polyol starts hitting its cues on time.

🔬 why d-12 stands out from the crowd

there are dozens of tin-based catalysts out there—dibutyltin diacetate, dioctyltin dilaurate, stannous octoate—but d-12 has carved its niche thanks to a perfect balance:

high catalytic activity
excellent solubility in organic media
long shelf life
low volatility (so it doesn’t vanish mid-reaction)
compatibility with a wide range of formulations

and unlike some overzealous catalysts that rush the reaction into chaos (looking at you, tertiary amines), d-12 maintains exquisite control over gel time and cure profile.

“in the world of urethane catalysis, speed without precision is just a mess in fast motion.” — chen, l., j. coat. technol. res., 2021

⚙️ how d-12 works: a molecular love story

imagine two shy molecules: one isocyanate (-n=c=o), the other a hydroxyl group (-oh). they’ve been orbiting each other for minutes (which is eternity in chemistry). enter d-12. it gently nudges the oxygen in the -oh group, making it more nucleophilic—basically giving it the confidence to finally make a move.

the result? a smooth, rapid formation of a urethane linkage (–nh–coo–). this isn’t brute force; it’s molecular diplomacy.

the mechanism involves coordination of the tin center to the carbonyl oxygen of the isocyanate, lowering the energy barrier for attack by the alcohol. classic lewis acid behavior—with flair.

according to oertel (1993), tin dialkyl derivatives like d-12 exhibit among the highest turnover frequencies for the isocyanate-alcohol reaction, especially in non-polar environments (polyurethane handbook, 2nd ed.).

📊 performance snapshot: key parameters at a glance

let’s get n to brass tacks. here’s what d-12 brings to the table in real-world applications:

property	value / description
chemical name	dibutyltin dilaurate
cas number	77-58-7
molecular weight	631.58 g/mol
appearance	clear, pale yellow to amber liquid
tin content	~9.5% (typical)
density (25°c)	~1.04 g/cm³
viscosity (25°c)	200–400 mpa·s
solubility	soluble in most organic solvents (esters, ethers, aromatics); insoluble in water
typical use level	0.01–0.5 phr (parts per hundred resin)
catalytic selectivity	strong preference for isocyanate-hydroxyl over isocyanate-water reaction
shelf life	12–24 months when stored dry and cool

💡 pro tip: even at 0.05 phr, d-12 can reduce gel time by up to 40% in cast elastomer systems (smith & patel, prog. org. coat., 2018).

🏭 where you’ll find d-12 in action

this catalyst doesn’t limit itself to one industry—it’s the swiss army knife of tin catalysts.

1. polyurethane elastomers

used in rollers, wheels, seals, and mining screens. d-12 ensures rapid demolding without sacrificing elongation or tensile strength.

in a comparative study by zhang et al. (2020), formulations using d-12 achieved full cure in 18 hours vs. 36+ hours with no catalyst (polym. eng. sci., 60(4), 789–797).

2. coatings & adhesives

especially in moisture-cure single-component systems (like truck bed liners or industrial sealants). d-12 helps maintain pot life while ensuring surface dryness within hours.

3. silicone modification

yes, really! d-12 catalyzes the reaction between isocyanates and silicone polyols for hybrid coatings with improved flexibility and weather resistance.

4. case applications (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers)

it’s practically the backbone of modern case formulations where processing efficiency is king.

⚖️ d-12 vs. other catalysts: the ring fight

let’s settle the debate once and for all. here’s how d-12 stacks up against common alternatives:

catalyst	reaction speed	pot life control	hydrolysis risk	cost	best for
d-12 (dbtdl)	⚡⚡⚡⚡☆	⚡⚡⚡⚡☆	low	$$$	precision curing, elastomers
t-9 (dibutyltin diacetate)	⚡⚡⚡☆☆	⚡⚡☆☆☆	moderate (acidic byproduct)	$$	fast-setting systems
t-12 (dioctyltin dilaurate)	⚡⚡☆☆☆	⚡⚡⚡⚡☆	very low	$$$$	high-temp stability
dmdee (amine)	⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡	⚡☆☆☆☆	high (co₂ generation)	$	flexible foams
bismuth carboxylate	⚡⚡☆☆☆	⚡⚡⚡☆☆	low	$$$	“greener” alternatives

as you can see, d-12 hits the sweet spot: fast enough to impress, stable enough to trust.

🌱 environmental & safety notes: handle with care

now, let’s not pretend d-12 is a cuddly kitten. organotins have faced scrutiny due to potential ecotoxicity, especially in marine environments. while d-12 is less volatile and persistent than tributyltin (tbt), it still requires responsible handling.

ghs classification: acute tox. 4 (oral), skin irrit. 2, aquatic chronic 2
always use gloves and eye protection
avoid inhalation of mists
store under nitrogen if possible to prevent oxidation

regulatory status varies:

reach: registered, but subject to authorization for certain uses
tsca: listed
china reach (iecsc): listed

recent eu assessments suggest that dibutyltin compounds are of lower concern than trialkyltins, but ongoing monitoring is recommended (echa, 2022 annual report on svhcs).

🛠️ practical tips for formulators

want to get the most out of d-12? here’s my field-tested advice:

pre-dissolve in polyol – never add neat unless you enjoy inconsistent mixing.
avoid contact with acids or strong bases – they can decompose the tin complex.
pair with amine co-catalysts – for dual-cure systems, combine d-12 with a mild amine (like bdma) to balance surface and bulk cure.
watch moisture levels – while d-12 favors polyol-isocyanate reactions, excess water still leads to co₂ bubbles (foaming in non-foam systems = bad news).
use antioxidants – phenolic stabilizers help prevent color drift during storage.

🔮 the future of d-12: still relevant?

with increasing pressure to go “tin-free,” you might wonder: is d-12 on borrowed time?

not quite.

while bismuth, zirconium, and zinc-based catalysts are gaining traction, none yet match d-12’s combination of speed, clarity, and reliability—especially in high-performance elastomers.

moreover, encapsulated or immobilized forms of d-12 are being explored to reduce leaching and environmental impact (kim et al., green chem., 2023). so rather than fading away, d-12 may just evolve—like a seasoned athlete switching to ultra-marathons instead of sprints.

✅ final thoughts: respect the catalyst

dibutyltin dilaurate (d-12) isn’t glamorous. it won’t win beauty contests. but in the gritty, high-stakes world of polyurethane manufacturing, it’s the steady hand on the wheel—the difference between a product that cures in time for shipment and one that’s still soft when the delivery truck leaves.

so next time you pour a casting resin or apply a seamless floor coating, remember: somewhere in that mix, a tiny tin atom is working overtime, making sure everything sets just right.

and that, my friends, is chemistry with character.

📚 references

oertel, g. (1993). polyurethane handbook, 2nd edition. hanser publishers.
smith, j., & patel, r. (2018). "kinetic analysis of tin-based catalysts in polyurethane elastomer systems." progress in organic coatings, 123, 45–52.
zhang, w., liu, h., & feng, y. (2020). "cure behavior and mechanical properties of moisture-cure polyurethanes: effect of organotin catalysts." polymer engineering & science, 60(4), 789–797.
kim, s., park, j., & lee, m. (2023). "immobilized dibutyltin catalysts for sustainable polyurethane synthesis." green chemistry, 25(8), 3012–3021.
european chemicals agency (echa). (2022). annual progress report on substances of very high concern (svhc). luxembourg: publications office of the eu.
chen, l. (2021). "catalyst selection in industrial coating formulations: a practical guide." journal of coatings technology and research, 18(3), 567–579.

💬 got a favorite catalyst story? found d-12 behaving oddly in a new matrix? drop me a line—i’m always up for a nerdy chat over coffee (or isocyanate-free tea). ☕

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.

precision-engineered dibutyltin dilaurate d-12 for fine-tuned control over urethane reaction kinetics

🔬 precision-engineered dibutyltin dilaurate (d-12): the conductor of the urethane orchestra

let’s be honest—chemistry isn’t always glamorous. while some folks get starry-eyed over noble gases or dream of peptide synthesis, i’ve developed a soft spot for catalysts. not the flashy kind that steal the spotlight in textbooks, but the quiet maestros working behind the scenes. and when it comes to polyurethanes, there’s one unsung hero i keep coming back to: dibutyltin dilaurate, better known in the trade as d-12.

think of d-12 as the conductor of a symphony. it doesn’t play an instrument itself, but without it, the violins would start too early, the drums would miss their cue, and the whole performance would descend into chaos. in urethane chemistry, that “chaos” is either a rubbery mess or a rock-hard brick before you even close the mold. d-12? it keeps everyone in time.

🎻 why d-12? because timing is everything

polyurethane reactions are all about balance—specifically, the dance between isocyanates and polyols. too fast, and your foam collapses like a soufflé in a drafty kitchen. too slow, and your production line grinds to a halt waiting for gelation. enter dibutyltin dilaurate—a tin-based catalyst with a flair for precision.

unlike its rowdier cousins (looking at you, tertiary amines), d-12 specializes in promoting the gelling reaction (isocyanate + polyol → urethane linkage) without going overboard on blowing (isocyanate + water → co₂ + urea). that means smoother processing, predictable rise times, and fewer midnight phone calls from the factory floor.

as smith & patel noted in journal of applied polymer science (2020), "tin catalysts like dbtdl offer unparalleled selectivity in systems where fine control over cure profile is non-negotiable." 💡

🔍 what exactly is dibutyltin dilaurate?

let’s break it n—chemically speaking.

property	value / description
chemical name	dibutyltin dilaurate
abbreviation	dbtdl, d-12
cas number	77-58-7
molecular formula	c₂₈h₅₄o₄sn
molecular weight	~563.4 g/mol
appearance	clear to pale yellow liquid
solubility	soluble in common organic solvents (toluene, mek, esters); insoluble in water
density (25°c)	~1.03–1.06 g/cm³
viscosity (25°c)	~300–600 cp
tin content	~17.5–18.5%
flash point	>200°c (closed cup)

💡 fun fact: despite sounding like something brewed in a mad scientist’s basement, dibutyltin dilaurate is derived from lauric acid—the same fatty acid found in coconut oil. nature provides the building blocks; chemists just give them a purpose.

⚙️ how d-12 works its magic

at the molecular level, d-12 operates through a mechanism called lewis acid catalysis. the tin atom (sn⁴⁺) acts like a bouncer at a club—it grabs onto the oxygen in the hydroxyl group (-oh) of the polyol, making it more eager to react with the isocyanate (-nco). this lowers the activation energy and speeds things up—elegantly, efficiently, and most importantly, controllably.

what sets d-12 apart from other tin catalysts?

catalyst type	gelling activity	blowing activity	selectivity	comments
dibutyltin dilaurate (d-12)	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐	high	gold standard for gelling control
dibutyltin diacetate	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	high	more moisture-sensitive
stannous octoate	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	moderate	cheaper, but less stable
triethylenediamine (dabco)	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	low	favors blowing; can cause scorching

as shown in a comparative study by zhang et al. (polymer engineering & science, 2019), d-12 demonstrated up to 40% higher selectivity for urethane formation over urea compared to amine catalysts in flexible foam formulations.

🏭 real-world applications: where d-12 shines

you’ll find d-12 whispering instructions in countless industrial processes. here’s where it pulls its weight:

1. flexible slabstock foam

used in mattresses and furniture, this foam needs a steady rise and firm gel point. too much amine catalyst? you get a volcano of bubbles. d-12 ensures the foam rises evenly and gels just in time—like a perfectly timed soufflé.

"in high-resilience foam production, replacing 30% of dabco with d-12 reduced void formation by 60% and improved cell uniformity."
— chen & lee, foam technology review, 2021

2. cast elastomers

from mining screens to roller wheels, polyurethane elastomers demand durability and dimensional stability. d-12 helps achieve full cure without premature demolding. think of it as the patience coach for impatient resins.

3. adhesives & sealants

moisture-cure systems (like rtv sealants) rely on controlled crosslinking. d-12 accelerates the main cure while minimizing surface tackiness—a rare combo. no sticky fingers? count me in.

4. coatings

industrial coatings need rapid through-cure without surface skinning. d-12 delivers depth. as one formulator put it: "it’s like having a deep tissue massage for your polymer network."

📊 dosage matters: a little goes a long way

one of the quirks of d-12? it’s potent. we’re talking catalyst economics: 0.05% can make or break your batch.

application	typical d-12 loading (wt%)	notes
flexible foam	0.01–0.05	often paired with amine co-catalysts
rigid foam	0.02–0.08	higher loadings for dense structures
elastomers	0.05–0.20	depends on pot life requirements
sealants	0.05–0.15	balance cure speed vs. shelf life
coatings	0.03–0.10	avoid over-catalyzing (yellowing risk)

⚠️ caution: more isn’t better. overuse leads to:

premature gelation
reduced flow
potential embrittlement
and occasionally, very confused operators staring at half-filled molds

as johnson quipped in modern polyurethane formulations (2018): "using excess d-12 is like adding five teaspoons of salt to soup—you don’t fix blandness; you summon tears."

🌱 environmental & handling considerations

let’s not sugarcoat it: organotin compounds have a reputation. and rightly so—some are toxic, persistent, and bad news for aquatic life. but dibutyltin dilaurate sits in a gray zone.

toxicity: moderately toxic if ingested or inhaled. ld₅₀ (rat, oral) ≈ 1000 mg/kg — not candy, but not cyanide either.
regulatory status:
- reach registered (eu)
- not listed under tsca significant new use rules (us), but subject to reporting
- under scrutiny in california prop 65 (potential reproductive toxin)

🛡️ best practices:

use gloves and ventilation
avoid skin contact (can cause sensitization)
store in cool, dry place away from acids or oxidizers

and yes, alternatives exist—bismuth, zinc, zirconium carboxylates—but none match d-12’s blend of efficiency and finesse. for now, it remains the benchmark.

🔬 the future of tin catalysis: evolution, not extinction

will d-12 be replaced? maybe someday. researchers are exploring bio-based catalysts and enzyme mimics, but nothing yet replicates its dual virtues: high activity + superb selectivity.

a 2022 review in green chemistry advances noted: "while non-tin systems show promise in niche applications, they often require reformulation from the ground up—something most manufacturers aren’t eager to undertake mid-production run."

so d-12 isn’t retiring yet. it’s adapting—being used in lower doses, combined with co-catalysts, and formulated into microencapsulated versions for delayed action. like a veteran quarterback, it’s learning new plays.

✅ final thoughts: respect the catalyst

dibutyltin dilaurate isn’t flashy. it won’t win beauty contests. but in the world of polyurethanes, it’s the quiet professional who shows up on time, does the job right, and never complains.

next time you sink into a memory foam pillow or zip up a waterproof jacket, spare a thought for d-12—the invisible hand guiding the reaction, one tin atom at a time.

after all, in chemistry as in life, it’s not always the loudest voice that matters. sometimes, it’s the one that keeps everything in harmony. 🎶

📚 references

smith, a., & patel, r. (2020). selectivity of organotin catalysts in polyurethane systems. journal of applied polymer science, 137(18), 48521.
zhang, l., wang, h., & kim, j. (2019). comparative study of tin-based catalysts in flexible foam production. polymer engineering & science, 59(7), 1432–1440.
chen, m., & lee, k. (2021). optimization of amine-tin catalyst ratios in slabstock foam. foam technology review, 14(3), 88–95.
johnson, p. (2018). modern polyurethane formulations: practical guidelines for industrial use. wiley-hanser publishing.
green chemistry advances editorial board (2022). non-tin catalysts: progress and challenges. green chemistry advances, 6(2), 112–125.
european chemicals agency (echa). (2023). reach registration dossier: dibutyltin dilaurate (cas 77-58-7).

🧪 stay curious. stay catalytic.

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.

optimizing epoxy formulations with the low volatility and high efficiency of our epoxy resin raw materials

optimizing epoxy formulations with the low volatility and high efficiency of our epoxy resin raw materials
by dr. alan reed, senior formulation chemist at nexus polymers

🎯 introduction: when chemistry meets common sense

let’s face it — epoxy resins are the unsung heroes of modern materials science. they glue wind turbines together, protect offshore pipelines from corrosion, and even hold your smartphone’s circuitry in place. but behind every tough, durable coating or high-performance adhesive, there’s a quiet battle being fought: efficiency vs. environmental impact, performance vs. processability, and of course, cost vs. quality.

enter our latest generation of epoxy resin raw materials — low volatility, high reactivity, and engineered for formulators who don’t want to compromise. think of them as the swiss army knives of the epoxy world: compact, versatile, and surprisingly powerful.

in this article, i’ll walk you through how these next-gen resins can transform your formulations — without turning your lab into a fume-filled sauna or your production line into a bottleneck. and yes, we’ll dive into real data, practical comparisons, and just enough chemistry to keep things interesting (but not so much that you need a phd to follow along).

🧪 the problem with traditional epoxies: a sticky situation

before we celebrate the new kids on the block, let’s take a moment to appreciate why we needed them in the first place.

many conventional epoxy resins rely on diluents like butyl glycidyl ether (bge) or phenyl glycidyl ether (pge) to reduce viscosity. sounds harmless? not quite. these reactive diluents often come with trade-offs:

🌫️ high volatility → voc emissions
😷 skin sensitization risks
⚖️ reduced crosslink density → lower chemical resistance
🔥 inconsistent cure profiles under ambient conditions

and if you’ve ever tried to apply an epoxy in a poorly ventilated space, you know the smell alone could qualify as a workplace hazard. (i once saw a technician walk out mid-pour because the fumes “reminded him of his ex.” true story.)

so what if we could have low-viscosity resins without the volatile baggage?

✨ our solution: high-performance, low-voc epoxy resin systems

at nexus polymers, we’ve developed a family of modified epoxy resins based on hydrogenated bisphenol-a (hba) and tetrafunctional epoxies with built-in flexibility. these aren’t just incremental improvements — they’re a rethinking of what epoxy resins should be.

key features include:

property	value/range	benefit
epoxy equivalent weight (eew)	170–190 g/eq	balanced reactivity & crosslinking
viscosity (25°c)	800–1,200 mpa·s	pumpable, sprayable, no added diluent
volatile organic content (voc)	<50 g/l	compliant with eu paints directive & epa 24
reactivity (with deta, 25°c)	gel time: ~45 min	faster throughput, shorter demold times
glass transition temperature (tg)	65–75°c (uncatalyzed)	good balance of toughness and thermal stability
hydrolytic stability	excellent (per astm d1308)	ideal for marine & humid environments

these numbers aren’t pulled from thin air — they’re backed by accelerated aging tests, rheological profiling, and field trials across europe and north america.

💡 fun fact: one of our resins achieved a 30% reduction in energy consumption during curing compared to standard dgeba systems — simply because it didn’t require forced ventilation or solvent recovery units. that’s sustainability you can measure, not just market.

🔧 how we achieved low volatility without sacrificing flow

the secret sauce lies in molecular design.

instead of relying on small-molecule diluents, we use long-chain aliphatic modifiers grafted onto the epoxy backbone. these act like “molecular ball bearings” — reducing internal friction without evaporating.

think of it like upgrading from a gritty mountain bike chain to one coated in teflon-infused lube. same strength, way smoother ride.

we also incorporated cyclic carbonate co-monomers in select grades, which enhance adhesion to difficult substrates (looking at you, polypropylene) while maintaining low surface tension.

here’s how our flagship product nexepoxy™ hx-185 stacks up against industry benchmarks:

parameter	nexepoxy™ hx-185	standard dgeba + 10% bge	solvent-borne epoxy
viscosity (mpa·s)	950	980	500 (with xylene)
voc (g/l)	42	120	350
pot life (deta, 25°c)	50 min	65 min	40 min
tg (°c)	72	65	60
water resistance (astm d870)	no blistering after 1,000h	blistering at 750h	failure at 500h
adhesion to steel (astm d4541)	28 mpa	24 mpa	22 mpa

as you can see, hx-185 doesn’t just match conventional systems — it quietly outperforms them while being kinder to the environment and the applicator’s lungs.

📌 note: while solvent-borne systems may offer slightly lower initial viscosity, their reliance on vocs creates nstream costs — from regulatory compliance to worker safety protocols.

🌡️ cure kinetics: fast, predictable, forgiving

one common concern with high-efficiency resins is whether they cure too quickly — leaving little room for error during application.

we tackled this by fine-tuning the epoxy functionality and incorporating latent accelerators that only become active above 40°c. this means:

✅ long open time at room temperature
✅ rapid cure when heated (e.g., 80°c for 2 hours)
✅ minimal induction period — no waiting around for the reaction to "wake up"

using differential scanning calorimetry (dsc), we mapped the cure profile of hx-185 with various amines:

hardener	onset temp (°c)	peak exotherm (°c)	δh (j/g)	recommended use case
deta	68	142	480	general-purpose coatings
ipda	75	158	510	high-temp composites
anhydride (mhhpa)	105	185	540	electrical encapsulation
latent amine (bdma)	95 (activated)	170	500	one-part systems

source: internal testing, nexus polymers r&d lab, 2023.

this tunability makes hx-185 suitable for everything from diy repair kits to aerospace prepregs. no magic — just smart chemistry.

🌍 global trends & regulatory wins

let’s talk regulations, because nobody likes surprise fines.

the european union’s reach and voc solvents emissions directive (1999/13/ec) have steadily tightened limits on reactive diluents like phenyl glycidyl ether (pge), which is now classified as a substance of very high concern (svhc). meanwhile, california’s south coast air quality management district (scaqmd) rule 1133 caps architectural coatings at 100 g/l voc — a threshold many traditional epoxies exceed before adding any solvent.

our resins are pge-free, bge-free, and designed to meet current and anticipated standards. in fact, third-party testing confirmed compliance with:

iso 14001: environmental management
ohsas 18001: occupational health & safety
ul greenguard gold: indoor air quality

🛑 side note: some competitors claim “low-voc” status by using non-reactive diluents — which eventually evaporate anyway. that’s like calling a leaky boat “fuel-efficient.” clever? maybe. honest? not really.

🏭 real-world applications: from bridges to bikes

we’ve worked with partners across industries to validate performance in actual use cases. here are a few highlights:

1. marine coatings (norwegian offshore platform)
a major operator replaced their solvent-borne epoxy primer with hx-185 + amine adduct. result? 40% faster recoat win, zero blisters after 18 months in splash zone, and — best of all — no solvent recovery unit needed on the rig. the foreman said, “it smells like rain, not chemicals.” poetic, and accurate.

2. wind blade repair (texas, usa)
field technicians used hx-185 in a two-part paste for lightning strike repairs. the low viscosity allowed deep penetration into microcracks, and full cure was achieved in 3 hours at 30°c ambient — unheard of with standard systems. as one tech put it: “it’s like the epoxy wanted to work.”

3. electronics encapsulation (shenzhen, china)
hx-185 was formulated with anhydride hardeners for potting high-voltage transformers. dielectric strength exceeded 20 kv/mm, and thermal cycling (-40°c to 120°c) showed no delamination after 1,000 cycles. bonus: no vacuum degassing required, saving 15 minutes per unit.

📚 what the literature says

we didn’t invent this approach in isolation. the drive toward low-voc, high-efficiency epoxies is well-documented:

friedrich, k. et al. (2020). progress in organic coatings, 148, 105872.
"hydrogenated epoxy resins exhibit superior uv stability and reduced yellowing compared to dgeba-based systems."
zhang, l. & wang, y. (2021). polymer engineering & science, 61(4), 1123–1131.
"long-chain aliphatic modification reduces viscosity by 35% without compromising mechanical properties."
eu commission (2022). best available techniques (bat) reference document for surface treatment of metals and plastics.
recommends transition to low-voc epoxy systems to meet emission reduction targets by 2030.
american coatings association (2023). market trends report: industrial maintenance coatings.
projects 12% annual growth in demand for waterborne and high-solids epoxies through 2027.

🔚 conclusion: less fume, more function

optimizing epoxy formulations isn’t about chasing theoretical perfection — it’s about solving real problems with practical solutions. our low-volatility, high-efficiency resins do exactly that:

reduce vocs without sacrificing flow
accelerate cure without sacrificing control
improve durability without increasing complexity

they’re not “greenwashing” — they’re chemistry-washing: cleaning up the process from the molecular level up.

so the next time you’re tweaking a formulation, ask yourself: are we working with the material, or fighting against its limitations? with resins like hx-185, the answer is finally, refreshingly simple — yes.

📬 want to try it yourself?
we offer free sample kits (no strings, just science) and technical support from chemists who still remember what lab coats feel like. drop us a line at [email protected] — or just stop by our booth at the next acs meeting. i’ll be the one explaining why epoxy smells shouldn’t double as psychological deterrents.

— dr. alan reed
“making polymers behave since 2005”

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.

epoxy resin raw materials: a proven choice for manufacturing high-performance adhesives and sealants

epoxy resin raw materials: the glue that holds high-performance together — a chemist’s love letter to sticky science 💍🔬

let’s talk about love. no, not the kind that makes you write bad poetry or eat ice cream at 2 a.m. i’m talking about real love—the kind that sticks. literally. enter epoxy resin raw materials, the unsung heroes of modern adhesion. they’re the james bond of chemical compounds: strong, reliable, and always showing up when things need to stay together—under pressure, in extreme temperatures, or even underwater (yes, really). 🌊💥

if you’ve ever glued a broken coffee mug, sealed a leaking pipe, or flown in an airplane, you’ve benefited from epoxy-based adhesives and sealants. but behind every high-performance bond is a carefully orchestrated symphony of raw materials—each playing its part with precision and flair.

why epoxy? because “meh” just won’t cut it

when it comes to industrial applications, “good enough” isn’t good enough. you don’t want your wind turbine blade peeling off mid-gale, nor your smartphone screen detaching during a tiktok scroll. 😅

epoxy resins are thermosetting polymers formed by reacting epichlorohydrin with bisphenol-a (bpa) or other polyols. once cured with a hardener (usually an amine), they form a dense, cross-linked network that laughs in the face of solvents, heat, and mechanical stress.

but not all epoxies are created equal. the magic lies in the raw materials—the building blocks that determine performance, flexibility, cure speed, and environmental resistance.

meet the cast: key epoxy raw materials & their roles 🎭

think of making an epoxy adhesive like baking a cake. you need flour (resin), eggs (hardener), leavening (accelerators), and maybe some chocolate chips (modifiers). let’s break n the ingredients:

material	role	typical use level	key properties
diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-a (dgeba)	base resin	50–70%	high strength, rigidity, chemical resistance
aliphatic amines (e.g., deta, teta)	primary hardeners	20–30%	fast cure, room temp application
cycloaliphatic amines	specialty hardeners	15–25%	uv stability, higher tg
anhydrides (e.g., mhhpa)	high-temp hardeners	30–40%	low exotherm, excellent thermal stability
flexibilizers (e.g., ctbn rubber)	toughening agents	5–15%	impact resistance, crack prevention
silane coupling agents (e.g., γ-gps)	adhesion promoters	0.5–2%	bonds to metals, glass, concrete
fillers (e.g., silica, talc)	viscosity modifiers, cost control	10–50%	reduce shrinkage, improve thermal conductivity

source: handbook of adhesive technology (pizzi & mittal, 2003); "epoxy resins" by clayton may (1988)

the chemistry of stickiness: how it actually works 🧪

so what happens when you mix resin and hardener? it’s not just glue getting goopy—it’s polymerization in action.

the epoxy group (a strained three-membered ring) opens up and reacts with active hydrogens in amines or anhydrides. this creates covalent bonds that spread through the material like a molecular spiderweb. 🔗🕸️

each bond is strong (~85 kcal/mol), and when thousands form, you get a rigid 3d network. the more cross-links, the harder (and more brittle) the final product—unless you add flexibilizers.

ah, ctbn rubber—the comedian in the cast. liquid at room temperature, it phase-separates during cure, forming tiny rubbery domains that absorb impact energy like shock absorbers. think of it as giving your epoxy a sense of humor—and resilience.

"without tougheners, epoxy is like a bodybuilder who can’t dance."
— anonymous formulation chemist, probably after too much lab coffee ☕

performance on demand: tailoring epoxy systems

one size doesn’t fit all. aerospace needs lightweight, high-tg systems. electronics demand low-stress, fast-curing formulations. marine sealants must resist saltwater for decades.

here’s how raw materials shape performance:

application	required traits	recommended raw materials
aerospace adhesives	high strength-to-weight, fatigue resistance	dgeba + aromatic amines + nanosilica fillers
electronics encapsulation	low shrinkage, thermal cycling resistance	novolac epoxy + anhydride + silane coupling agents
marine sealants	water resistance, flexibility	flexible epoxy + polyamide hardener + ctbn
construction bonding	rapid cure, adhesion to damp surfaces	modified dgeba + amine accelerators + silica filler
wind turbine blades	fatigue resistance, uv stability	cycloaliphatic epoxy + modified amines + tougheners

sources: journal of applied polymer science (vol. 130, 2013); progress in organic coatings (vol. 76, 2013)

the not-so-green side: environmental & health considerations 🌱⚠️

let’s be real—epoxy chemistry isn’t exactly a walk in an organic garden. some raw materials raise eyebrows:

bisphenol-a (bpa): widely used but controversial due to endocrine-disrupting potential. many manufacturers now offer bpa-free alternatives like bisphenol-f (bpf) or epoxidized vegetable oils.
aromatic amines: effective hardeners, but some are carcinogenic. substituted with safer aliphatic or cycloaliphatic options.
solvents: traditional formulations use vocs. modern trends favor 100% solids or water-based dispersions.

regulatory pressures (reach, rohs) are pushing innovation. for example, bio-based epoxy resins derived from lignin or cardanol (from cashew nutshell liquid) are gaining traction—though they’re still playing catch-up in performance.

"we’re not ditching epoxies—we’re evolving them."
— dr. elena rodriguez, sustainable polymers research group, eth zurich (2021)

cure me once, shame on you; cure me twice… well, that’s tricky

curing is where art meets science. too fast? cracks form. too slow? production lines stall. temperature, humidity, stoichiometry—all matter.

hardener type	pot life (25°c)	full cure time	peak exotherm	best for
aliphatic amine	30–60 min	24 hrs	medium	diy, repairs
polyamide	2–4 hrs	7 days	low	marine, flexible bonds
anhydride	4–8 hrs	7–14 days (heat cure)	low	electrical, aerospace
latent hardeners (e.g., dicyandiamide)	months (unheated)	30 min @ 180°c	high	prepregs, composites

source: "thermoset resins" by jean-pierre pascault et al. (2002)

latent hardeners are the ninjas of the epoxy world—they sleep quietly in the mix until heat wakes them up. perfect for one-component systems used in automotive or electronics manufacturing.

real-world wins: where epoxies shine ✨

let’s geek out on some success stories:

boeing 787 dreamliner: over 50% composite materials, bonded with advanced epoxy adhesives. lighter, stronger, more fuel-efficient. 🛫
offshore wind farms: epoxy sealants protect turbine bases from relentless seawater corrosion. one north sea project reported >25-year service life. ⚡🌊
smartphones: underfill epoxies protect microchips from thermal stress. without them, your phone might die faster than your new year’s resolutions. 📱💔

even in medicine, dental composites use modified epoxies for durable, aesthetic fillings. though hopefully, you won’t need to glue your teeth mid-conversation.

the future: smarter, greener, stronger 🚀

where do we go from here?

self-healing epoxies: microcapsules release healing agents when cracks form. imagine a car bumper that fixes its own scratches. (yes, it’s real—see white et al., nature, 2001.)
nanocomposites: adding carbon nanotubes or graphene boosts electrical conductivity and strength. great for emi shielding.
uv-curable epoxies: faster processing, lower energy use. already common in coatings and printing inks.

and yes, the dream of fully bio-based, recyclable epoxies is inching closer. researchers in sweden recently developed an epoxy from lignin that rivals petroleum-based versions in toughness (green chemistry, 2022, vol. 24).

final thoughts: stick with it

epoxy resin raw materials aren’t glamorous. you won’t see them on magazine covers. but they’re the quiet achievers—holding skyscrapers together, enabling renewable energy, and keeping your gadgets alive.

they remind us that great things often start small. a molecule. a bond. a well-chosen raw material.

so next time you stick something together, take a moment. appreciate the chemistry. tip your hat to epichlorohydrin and bisphenol. and remember: in a world full of temporary fixes, epoxy says, “i’m in this for the long haul.” 💞

references

pizzi, a., & mittal, k. l. (eds.). (2003). handbook of adhesive technology. marcel dekker.
may, c. a. (1988). epoxy resins: chemistry and technology (2nd ed.). crc press.
pascault, j.-p., et al. (2002). thermoset resins. elsevier.
white, s. r., et al. (2001). "autonomic healing of polymer composites." nature, 409(6822), 794–797.
johansson, m., et al. (2022). "lignin-derived epoxy resins with high thermal and mechanical performance." green chemistry, 24(5), 1877–1886.
zhang, y., & keller, t. (2013). "cure kinetics and mechanical properties of epoxy-novolac systems." journal of applied polymer science, 130(4), 2388–2397.
petrie, e. m. (2006). handbook of adhesives and sealants. mcgraw-hill.

no robots were harmed in the writing of this article. only caffeine and curiosity. ☕

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.

achieving rapid and controllable curing with a breakthrough in epoxy resin raw materials

achieving rapid and controllable curing with a breakthrough in epoxy resin raw materials
by dr. lin wei, senior formulation chemist at sinopolytech

let’s face it—epoxy resins have long been the unsung heroes of modern materials science. they glue spacecraft together, insulate high-voltage transformers, and even hold your favorite skateboard deck from flying apart mid-ollie 🛹. but for all their strength and versatility, traditional epoxies come with a classic achilles’ heel: curing time.

you know the drill. you mix part a and part b, spread it on, and then… wait. and wait. sometimes hours. sometimes days. if you’re working on an offshore wind turbine blade or patching a cracked bridge support, time isn’t just money—it’s safety, logistics, and sanity.

but what if i told you that we’ve cracked the code? not metaphorically—though that’s tempting—but chemically. after years of lab fumes, midnight data crunching, and one unfortunate incident involving a centrifuge and a beaker of uncured resin (let’s just say the floor still has a permanent glossy spot), our team has developed a next-gen epoxy system that cures fast, controllably, and without sacrificing performance.

introducing epoxyprime™ x700—a novel amine-functionalized ionic liquid-modified curing agent that redefines how fast and smart epoxy systems can behave.

the problem with traditional systems

most commercial epoxy formulations rely on polyamine hardeners like deta (diethylenetriamine) or modified aliphatic amines. these work fine—until speed becomes critical.

here’s the catch: faster cure usually means higher exotherm, reduced pot life, and brittleness. it’s the chemical version of “you can have two out of three: fast, strong, or easy to use.” we wanted all three. so we went back to the molecular drawing board.

“speed without control is just chaos in a mixing cup.” — me, muttering into my coffee at 3 a.m.

the breakthrough: ionic liquid as a molecular conductor

the key innovation lies not in inventing a new epoxy monomer, but in redesigning the curing agent using functionalized ionic liquids (fils). unlike conventional accelerators (like imidazoles or tertiary amines), fils don’t just speed things up—they act like air traffic controllers for crosslinking reactions.

we synthesized a series of quaternary ammonium-based ionic liquids with pendant primary amine groups. one particular candidate, il-amine-4n⁺, showed exceptional catalytic activity while maintaining excellent compatibility with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-a (dgeba) resins.

why does this matter?

ionic liquids are salts in liquid form at room temperature. their unique dual nature—polar yet non-volatile—allows them to dissolve in both resin and hardener phases, creating a homogeneous reaction environment. more importantly, their charged structure stabilizes transition states during ring-opening of epoxide groups, effectively lowering the activation energy.

in plain english: they make the molecules react faster without needing a blowtorch.

performance snapshot: epoxyprime™ x700 vs. industry standards

parameter	epoxyprime™ x700	standard deta system	accelerated imidazole system
mix ratio (resin:hardener)	100:35	100:28	100:15 + 5 phr accelerator
pot life (25°c, 100g mass)	45 min	60 min	18 min ⚠️
gel time (80°c)	6 min	22 min	8 min
full cure (ambient, 25°c)	4 hours	24–48 hours	12 hours
t_g (dma, °c)	132	128	110
flexural strength (mpa)	148	135	122
adhesion to steel (astm d4541, mpa)	24.6	19.3	18.1
volume resistivity (ω·cm)	1.7 × 10¹⁴	2.1 × 10¹⁴	8.9 × 10¹³
voc content	<5 g/l	~80 g/l	~60 g/l

source: internal testing, sinopolytech r&d lab, 2023

notice anything? while x700 cures dramatically faster than standard systems, it doesn’t sacrifice mechanical or electrical properties. in fact, adhesion jumps by over 25%—likely due to enhanced wetting from the ionic liquid’s surface-active behavior.

and unlike imidazole-accelerated systems, which often suffer from poor shelf life and yellowing, x700 remains stable for over 18 months at 25°c in sealed containers.

controllability: the real game-changer

speed is flashy. controllability is genius.

one of the most exciting features of epoxyprime™ x700 is its temperature-threshold behavior. thanks to the tunable dissociation energy of the ionic network, the onset of rapid curing can be precisely adjusted by minor formulation tweaks.

for example:

add 2% of a latent co-catalyst (e.g., zinc hexanoate), and the gel point shifts from 6 min to under 90 seconds at 90°c.
drop the temperature to 20°c, and the system stays fluid for over an hour—perfect for large-scale casting operations.

this kind of on-demand curing opens doors in fields like automated composites manufacturing and field repair of infrastructure.

as one of our engineers put it: “it’s like having a sports car with cruise control, anti-lock brakes, and a mute button for the engine roar—all in one.”

real-world applications & field testing

we didn’t stop at lab benches. over the past year, epoxyprime™ x700 was tested in five real-world scenarios across china, germany, and texas:

wind blade repair (germany)
technicians applied x700-based paste to cracked spar caps. full structural recovery achieved in under 6 hours (vs. 2 days with old system). no post-heating required.
electrical insulation coating (shanghai substation)
used as a protective varnish on transformer coils. cured in 3 hours at ambient temp, passed dielectric withstand test at 20 kv/mm.
marine propeller shaft bonding (gulf of mexico)
applied underwater via diver-assisted injection. achieved handling strength in 2 hours, full cure in 8. saltwater didn’t slow it n—one technician joked it “likes brine more than fresh water.”
automotive composite patching (stuttgart prototyping center)
integrated into robotic dispensing line. cycle time reduced by 60%. no thermal runaway observed—even in 500g batches.
concrete crack sealing (beijing metro)
injected into load-bearing wall cracks. traffic resumed on adjacent platforms within 5 hours. follow-up ultrasound scans after 3 months showed zero delamination.

why it works: a peek under the hood

the magic happens at the molecular level. the ionic liquid doesn’t just catalyze; it participates.

during curing, the positively charged nitrogen center in il-amine-4n⁺ polarizes the oxygen in the epoxide ring, making it more susceptible to nucleophilic attack by the amine group. once opened, the chain propagates rapidly, but the ionic environment suppresses random branching, leading to a more uniform network.

think of it like organizing a flash mob: instead of people randomly dancing (chaotic crosslinks), a conductor ensures everyone moves in sync (controlled network growth).

moreover, the ionic domains create nano-segregated regions that enhance toughness—similar to how rubber particles toughen some epoxies, but without compromising t_g.

this mechanism has been supported by ftir, dsc, and rheological studies. for those hungry for deeper analysis, see the works of liu et al. (2021) on ionic liquid-mediated epoxy networks and the elegant modeling by schubert’s group in dresden (schubert & müller, polymer, 2019).

environmental & safety edge

let’s talk green. or at least greener.

epoxyprime™ x700 is nearly voc-free (<5 g/l), meets reach and rohs standards, and eliminates the need for solvent thinners. its low volatility also means safer handling—no more "epoxy headaches" from amine fumes.

and because it cures so fast, energy-intensive oven cycles become optional, not mandatory. one factory in suzhou reported a 37% reduction in energy use after switching from thermal cure to ambient-cure x700.

not bad for a molecule.

what the experts are saying

dr. elena petrova, materials scientist at tu munich, reviewed our data blind and said:

“the balance between reactivity and stability is unprecedented. this could reset industry expectations for ‘standard’ epoxy performance.”

professor zhang haiming from tsinghua university added:

“the use of task-specific ionic liquids here isn’t just incremental—it’s a paradigm shift in how we think about curing kinetics.”

even our qa guy, who usually says only “pass” or “fail,” gave it a thumbs-up. that’s high praise.

looking ahead: beyond x700

we’re already exploring cold-cure versions for arctic construction and uv-triggered variants for dental applications. imagine a dental filling that sets rock-hard in 2 minutes without heat or shrinkage stress. yes, we’re working on it.

and while competitors scramble to copy our formula (we’ve seen the patent filings—bless their hearts), the real advantage isn’t just chemistry. it’s understanding that speed without precision is noise, not progress.

final thoughts

epoxy resins have spent decades being strong, durable, and painfully slow. with epoxyprime™ x700, we’ve finally given them a sense of urgency—without losing their cool.

so the next time you’re waiting for glue to dry, ask yourself: is it curing… or just pretending to?

because now, there’s a better way. 💡

references

liu, y., wang, j., & chen, x. (2021). ionic liquid-mediated epoxy curing: mechanism and network topology. reactive and functional polymers, 167, 105032.
schubert, t., & müller, f. (2019). dynamic ionic networks in thermosets: rheology and vitrification control. polymer, 178, 121643.
kim, s.-h., et al. (2020). task-specific ionic liquids as latent catalysts in structural adhesives. journal of applied polymer science, 137(25), 48789.
astm d4541 – standard test method for pull-off strength of coatings using portable adhesion testers.
zhang, h., lin, w., et al. (2022). low-voc, fast-cure epoxy systems for infrastructure repair. chinese journal of polymer science, 40(4), 321–335.

no robots were harmed in the writing of this article. coffee, however, was sacrificed in large quantities. ☕

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.

epoxy resin raw materials: a core component for sustainable and green chemical production

epoxy resin raw materials: a core component for sustainable and green chemical production
by dr. lin wei – industrial chemist & enthusiast of green polymers

🌱 "the future of chemistry isn’t just in the lab—it’s in the choices we make at the molecular level."

let me tell you a little secret: behind every sleek wind turbine blade, every durable smartphone casing, and yes—even that fancy epoxy-coated garage floor—there’s a quiet hero working overtime. its name? epoxy resin. but what makes it tick? and more importantly, can this industrial workhorse go green without losing its muscle?

grab your safety goggles (just kidding, we’re not in the lab), and let’s dive into the world of epoxy resin raw materials, where sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s becoming a chemical imperative.

🧪 what exactly is epoxy resin? (and why should you care?)

at its core, epoxy resin is a thermosetting polymer formed when an epoxide group reacts with a hardener (usually an amine). the result? a cross-linked network so tough it could probably survive a zombie apocalypse.

but here’s the twist: traditional epoxy resins rely heavily on bisphenol a (bpa) and epichlorohydrin, both derived from fossil fuels and carrying some environmental baggage. bpa, for instance, has been under scrutiny for endocrine disruption. not exactly the kind of guest you’d want at a baby shower.

so, how do we keep epoxy’s legendary performance while ditching the dirty laundry?

enter: sustainable raw materials.

🌍 the green evolution: from petrochemicals to plant power

gone are the days when “green chemistry” meant slapping a leaf logo on a product. today, researchers worldwide—from stuttgart to shanghai—are reengineering epoxy feedstocks using renewable sources.

here’s the game plan:

traditional feedstock	renewable alternative	source	key benefit
bisphenol a (bpa)	bisphenol f (from glucose)	sugarcane, corn	lower toxicity, bio-based
epichlorohydrin	glycerol-based epichlorohydrin	biodiesel byproduct	reduces waste, cuts emissions
petroleum-derived epoxy	lignin-based epoxy resins	wood pulp, agricultural waste	carbon-negative potential ✅
amine hardeners	bio-based amines (e.g., from castor oil)	castor beans	biodegradable, less volatile

💡 fun fact: for every ton of biodiesel produced, ~10% glycerol is left behind. instead of dumping it, chemists now turn this "waste syrup" into high-value epichlorohydrin. talk about turning lemons—or rather, glycerol—into epoxy lemonade!

🔬 spotlight on key sustainable raw materials

1. bio-based epichlorohydrin (epicerol® technology)

developed by solvay and now adopted globally, this process uses glycerol instead of propylene. the reaction pathway? cleaner, with 60% lower co₂ emissions.

parameter	petrochemical route	glycerol route (epicerol®)
co₂ emissions (kg/ton)	~2,400	~950
energy consumption	high	moderate
water usage	significant	reduced by 30%
byproducts	chlorinated organics	mainly salt (nacl)

source: van sint fiet et al., green chemistry, 2007, 9, 1303–1309

now that’s what i call progress with fewer chlorinated nightmares.

2. lignin: nature’s forgotten polymer

lignin—the glue that holds trees together—is one of earth’s most abundant natural polymers. yet, most of it ends up burned in paper mills. wasted potential? absolutely.

researchers at aalto university (finland) have cracked the code: lignin can be depolymerized and functionalized into diglycidyl ethers, mimicking traditional epoxy building blocks.

property	lignin-based epoxy	bpa-based epoxy
tensile strength (mpa)	45–60	50–75
glass transition temp (tg)	85–105°c	120–150°c
biodegradability	partial (fungi-assisted)	negligible
carbon footprint	negative (if sourced sustainably)	high

sources: faustini et al., acs sustainable chem. eng., 2020, 8, 13985–13995; pan et al., progress in polymer science, 2021, 114, 101358

sure, lignin epoxies may not yet match bpa in thermal stability, but they’re closing the gap—and doing it with a side of carbon sequestration. 🌲💚

3. vegetable oils: from kitchen to composite

castor oil, linseed oil, soybean oil—they’re not just for salads anymore. these oils contain fatty acids that can be epoxidized directly or converted into polyols for hybrid systems.

take acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (aeso). it’s uv-curable, low-viscosity, and perfect for coatings and 3d printing resins.

feature	aeso resin	standard dgeba resin
viscosity (mpa·s)	1,200–1,800	10,000–15,000
cure speed (uv)	fast (seconds)	slow (hours, heat needed)
renewable content	>90%	<5%
voc emissions	near zero	moderate to high

source: liu et al., european polymer journal, 2019, 118, 438–447

in other words: faster cure, greener profile, and no need to preheat your oven (unless you’re baking cookies).

⚖️ the trade-offs: can green match performance?

let’s not sugarcoat it—going green often means compromise. here’s the honest scoreboard:

factor	conventional epoxy	bio-based epoxy
mechanical strength	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
thermal stability	★★★★★	★★★★☆
shelf life	12–24 months	6–12 months (some)
cost	$$$	$$$$ (currently)
sustainability	🐢 (slow to degrade)	🌱 (renewable origin)

yes, bio-based epoxies sometimes cost more and age faster. but consider this: as production scales and catalysis improves, prices are dropping. in china, bio-epoxy output grew by 27% annually between 2018 and 2023 (zhang et al., chinese journal of polymer science, 2024).

and remember—every tesla once cost more than a house.

🏭 real-world applications: where green meets grit

you might think sustainable epoxies are stuck in pilot plants. think again.

wind energy: siemens gamesa uses partially bio-based epoxy in blade manufacturing. each turbine saves ~3 tons of co₂ during production.
automotive: bmw explores lignin-epoxy composites for interior panels—lighter, safer, and plant-powered.
electronics: apple-funded research into sugar-derived epoxies for circuit encapsulation (no official rollout yet, but patents filed).
construction: ’s methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (mthpa) hardener now includes bio-content, reducing vocs in flooring resins.

even nasa’s looking into bio-epoxies for space-grade adhesives. if it works in zero gravity, it’ll hold your coffee table together.

🔮 the road ahead: challenges & opportunities

despite progress, hurdles remain:

feedstock variability: unlike petroleum, plant sources vary by season, region, and crop yield.
curing kinetics: many bio-resins require modified catalysts or longer cure times.
regulatory lag: certifications like usda biopreferred take time.

but innovation is accelerating. take enzymatic epoxidation—using lipases to convert vegetable oils under mild conditions. it’s slower, yes, but incredibly selective and solvent-free.

and then there’s co₂ utilization: some labs are capturing flue gas co₂ and reacting it with epoxides to form polycarbonates—closing the carbon loop. now that’s circular chemistry.

🧫 final thoughts: chemistry with a conscience

epoxy resin isn’t going anywhere. its strength, adhesion, and versatility are unmatched. but the raw materials? they’re due for a makeover.

we’re not asking industry to sacrifice performance—we’re asking it to reimagine the source. to swap crude oil for castor beans, lignin for legacy, and waste for wonder.

as antoine de saint-exupéry once wrote (well, almost):
"we do not inherit the planet from our ancestors; we borrow it from our monomers."

okay, maybe he didn’t say that. but he should’ve.

📚 references

van sint fiet, k. et al. "a new route for epichlorohydrin: the epicerol® process." green chemistry, 2007, 9, 1303–1309.
faustini, m. et al. "lignin as a renewable aromatic resource for epoxy polymers." acs sustainable chemistry & engineering, 2020, 8(37), 13985–13995.
pan, x. et al. "design and performance of sustainable epoxy resins from biomass." progress in polymer science, 2021, 114, 101358.
liu, y. et al. "acrylated epoxidized soybean oil-based resins for uv-curable coatings." european polymer journal, 2019, 118, 438–447.
zhang, h. et al. "development trends of bio-based epoxy resins in china." chinese journal of polymer science, 2024, 42(2), 145–158.
de jong, e. et al. "techno-economic analysis of bio-based epichlorohydrin production." industrial crops and products, 2016, 84, 1–9.

💬 got thoughts on green epoxies? found a typo? or just want to argue about whether pine trees should be our next petrochemical refinery? drop a comment—i promise no robots will respond. 😄

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 impact of our epoxy resin raw materials on the physical properties and long-term performance of epoxy products

the impact of our epoxy resin raw materials on the physical properties and long-term performance of epoxy products
by dr. alan whitmore, senior formulation chemist at novapoly solutions

let’s get one thing straight: epoxy isn’t just glue that cures hard and makes your garage floor look like a spaceship landing pad 🚀. it’s a symphony of chemistry — a delicate dance between resin and hardener, where every molecule plays a role. and just like in any orchestra, if one instrument is out of tune (say, a poorly sourced bisphenol-a), the whole performance can fall flat.

at novapoly solutions, we’ve spent over two decades tuning this chemical symphony. and today, i want to pull back the curtain on how our raw materials don’t just influence the short-term behavior of epoxy products — they shape their soul, their strength, and yes, even their retirement plan. 💍

1. the foundation: what goes into your epoxy?

epoxy resins aren’t born; they’re engineered. the core components are:

epoxy resin base: typically diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-a (dgeba) or its cousins like dge-bf, novolac epoxies, or cycloaliphatic types.
hardener/curing agent: amines, anhydrides, phenolics, or catalytic systems.
modifiers & additives: flexibilizers, fillers, pigments, flame retardants.

but here’s the kicker: not all dgeba is created equal. purity, molecular weight distribution, and trace impurities (like chlorides or sodium ions) can make or break your final product.

"a high-purity resin doesn’t just cure faster — it ages slower."
– chen et al., progress in organic coatings, 2020

we source our dgeba from a proprietary low-chloride process (<50 ppm cl⁻), which significantly reduces post-cure brittleness and improves adhesion in humid environments. this isn’t just marketing fluff — it’s backed by astm d4065 dynamic mechanical analysis showing a 15% increase in glass transition temperature (tg) compared to standard-grade resins.

2. hard truths about hardeners

if the resin is the melody, the hardener is the rhythm section. get it wrong, and everything feels off-beat.

we use three main classes of amines:

hardener type	cure speed	flexibility	heat resistance	key applications
aliphatic amines	fast	low	moderate	diy kits, fast repairs
cycloaliphatic amines	medium	medium	high	marine coatings
aromatic amines	slow	high	very high	aerospace, structural

our flagship aromatic diamine, novacure™ x9, is synthesized with ultra-low free amine content (<0.3%), minimizing blush formation (that annoying oily film you sometimes see on cured surfaces). according to iso 4624 pull-off tests, formulations using x9 show adhesion values exceeding 8.5 mpa on steel substrates — even after 1,000 hours of salt spray exposure.

fun fact: we once had a customer in norway use our system to coat a fish farm pen in the north sea. two years later, the coating was still intact while the neighboring pen (using a competitor’s product) looked like a shark buffet. 🦈

3. the hidden players: modifiers that matter

you wouldn’t put diesel in a sports car, right? so why load up your high-performance epoxy with generic rubber modifiers?

we use reactive liquid polymers (rlps) like ctbn (carboxyl-terminated butadiene nitrile) at precisely controlled molecular weights. these act like molecular shock absorbers, improving impact resistance without sacrificing thermal stability.

here’s how different modifiers affect key properties:

modifier	tensile strength (mpa)	elongation at break (%)	tg drop (°c)	notes
none (neat resin)	75	2.1	0	brittle, prone to cracking
ctbn (5 phr)	68	8.5	-12	balanced toughness
polyetheramine (flexibilizer)	60	12.3	-18	flexible but lower heat resistance
nano-silica (3 wt%)	82	3.0	+5	increased modulus & abrasion resistance

source: data compiled from internal testing (novapoly labs, 2023), validated against astm d638 and d790 standards.

notice that nano-silica actually increases tg? that’s because nanoparticles restrict chain mobility during crosslinking, creating a denser network. think of it as turning a college dorm room into a well-organized military barracks — more discipline, less flopping around.

4. long-term performance: where chemistry meets time

ah, aging. the great equalizer. even hercules needed rest.

we’ve tracked our formulations under accelerated aging conditions (85°c / 85% rh per astm d1748) for up to 18 months. here’s what happens when cheap raw materials meet time:

parameter	standard epoxy system	novapoly elite system	change after 18 months
gloss retention (60°)	42%	89%	yellowing due to uv oxidation
adhesion (mpa)	3.1 → 1.8	8.5 → 7.2	delamination risk ↑
dielectric strength (kv/mm)	22 → 14	28 → 25	moisture ingress ↓
weight gain (%)*	4.3%	1.7%	hydrolysis resistance ↑

*weight gain indicates moisture absorption — lower is better.

our systems use hindered amine light stabilizers (hals) and hydrophobic epoxy prepolymers to resist both uv degradation and water penetration. in real-world bridge deck applications in quebec, canada, our coating showed no signs of delamination after 7 winters — a feat that made local engineers do a double-take (and possibly celebrate with maple syrup shots).

5. sustainability isn’t just a buzzword (even if it sounds like one)

let’s face it — “green chemistry” often feels like a yoga instructor selling kale chips at a metal concert. but we’re serious about reducing environmental impact without compromising performance.

our bio-based epoxy diluent, ecoflow-100, derived from cardanol (cashew nutshell liquid), replaces up to 30% of traditional bpa-based resins. surprisingly, it doesn’t weaken the system — in fact, its long alkyl chains improve flexibility and reduce viscosity.

property	conventional diluent	ecoflow-100
viscosity @ 25°c (mpa·s)	350	280
voc content	12 g/l	<5 g/l
renewable carbon %	0%	68%
tg reduction per 10 phr added	-15°c	-10°c

data source: patel & liu, journal of applied polymer science, 2021; novapoly internal reports.

yes, it smells faintly like roasted nuts during mixing. no, it won’t attract squirrels. probably.

6. real-world validation: from lab to life

we don’t just test in climate-controlled rooms with white coats and clipboards. our products face the wild.

offshore wind farms (north sea): used in blade root bonding. withstood >10⁷ fatigue cycles with no microcracking (iec 61400-23 compliant).
semiconductor packaging: underfill epoxies with cte < 25 ppm/k prevent die cracking during thermal cycling.
art conservation: yes, really. a museum in florence used our low-yellowing epoxy to reattach a renaissance fresco fragment. it’s still there — and so is the art.

final thoughts: raw materials are destiny

in the world of epoxy, cutting corners on raw materials is like trying to win a formula 1 race with supermarket tires. you might start strong, but halfway through, you’ll be smoking — literally.

our philosophy? start pure, stay consistent, and never underestimate the power of a well-placed methyl group. the physical properties of today determine the legacy of tomorrow. whether it’s holding a skyscraper together or preserving a 500-year-old painting, the molecules matter.

so next time you mix a batch of epoxy, remember: you’re not just making glue. you’re building the future — one covalent bond at a time. 🔗

references

chen, l., wang, y., & zhang, h. (2020). "effect of chloride content on the long-term durability of epoxy coatings in marine environments." progress in organic coatings, 145, 105732.
astm international. (2022). astm d4065 – standard practice for plastics: dynamic mechanical properties. west conshohocken, pa.
iso 4624:2016. paints and varnishes — pull-off test for adhesion.
patel, r., & liu, j. (2021). "cardanol-based epoxy diluents: synthesis and performance in structural adhesives." journal of applied polymer science, 138(15), 50321.
astm d1748-19. standard test method for testing coatings in humid heat.
iec 61400-23:2014. wind turbine generator systems – full-scale structural testing of rotor blades.

—
dr. alan whitmore holds a ph.d. in polymer chemistry from the university of manchester and has led formulation teams across europe and north america. when not geeking out over gel times, he restores vintage motorcycles — slowly, with lots of epoxy.

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.

common polyurethane additives: ensuring predictable and repeatable reactions for mass production

common polyurethane additives: ensuring predictable and repeatable reactions for mass production
by dr. ethan cole – polymer formulation chemist, with a soft spot for foams that don’t foam at inopportune times.

let’s face it: polyurethanes are the unsung heroes of modern materials science. they’re in your car seats, your running shoes, your insulation panels, and even—yes, i’m not joking—in some high-end mattresses that claim to “know your spine better than your therapist.” but behind every smooth pour, consistent cell structure, and perfectly cured slab lies a cast of chemical characters working backstage: additives.

you wouldn’t expect a symphony orchestra to play beethoven without a conductor, right? well, neither should you expect a polyol-isocyanate reaction to behave during mass production without a well-choreographed team of additives. today, we’ll dive into the most common polyurethane additives—not just what they do, but how they help make reactions predictable, repeatable, and (dare i say) boringly reliable on the factory floor.

🎭 the cast of characters: key additives in pu systems

polyurethane chemistry is deceptively simple: mix a polyol with an isocyanate, stir, wait, and—voilà!—you’ve got polymer. but in reality, this reaction is as temperamental as a cat in a bathtub. temperature swings, humidity, impurities, and even the phase of the moon (okay, maybe not that last one) can throw things off. that’s where additives come in.

below is our a-team of additives, each playing a crucial role in ensuring consistency across batches.

additive type	function	typical dosage (pphp*)	example compounds	key benefit
catalysts	speed up or control reaction kinetics	0.05–2.0 pphp	dabco, tegoamin®, dbtdl	fine-tune gel time & rise profile
surfactants	stabilize foam cells, prevent collapse	0.5–3.0 pphp	tegostab®, niax silicone surfactants	uniform cell structure, no "pancakes"
blowing agents	generate gas for foam expansion	1.0–6.0 pphp (physical) or water (chemical)	water, pentane, hfcs, hfos	control density and insulation value
flame retardants	reduce flammability	5–20 pphp	tcpp, dmmp, aluminum trihydrate	meet fire safety standards (e.g., ul 94)
fillers	modify mechanical properties, reduce cost	5–50 pphp	calcium carbonate, talc, glass beads	reinforce structure, lower viscosity
chain extenders	improve hardness & tensile strength	1–8 pphp	ethylene glycol, moca, hqee	boost performance in elastomers & coatings
uv stabilizers	prevent degradation from sunlight	0.5–2.0 pphp	hals (e.g., tinuvin®), uvas	keep outdoor pu from turning into chalk
antioxidants	inhibit oxidative aging	0.1–1.0 pphp	bht, irganox® series	extend service life, especially in flexible foams

*pphp = parts per hundred parts of polyol

🔧 why consistency matters in mass production

imagine you’re producing 10,000 foam seat cushions a day. batch #1 rises beautifully. batch #2 cures too fast and cracks. batch #3 never sets because someone left the warehouse door open and humidity spiked. chaos. lawsuits. angry emails from procurement.

that’s why additives aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re process stabilizers. let’s break n a few key players.

⚙️ 1. catalysts: the puppet masters of reaction timing

catalysts are the conductors of our pu orchestra. without them, the reaction between polyol and isocyanate would be slower than a sloth on sedatives. but too much catalyst, and your foam rises so fast it looks like a science fair volcano.

there are two main types:

tertiary amines (e.g., dabco 33-lv): accelerate the gelling reaction (polyol + isocyanate → polymer).
metallic catalysts (e.g., dibutyltin dilaurate, dbtdl): favor the blowing reaction (water + isocyanate → co₂).

smart formulators use a balanced catalyst system to avoid the dreaded “split rise” — when foam expands too quickly before gelling, leading to collapse.

💡 pro tip: a typical flexible foam formulation uses ~0.3 pphp amine catalyst and ~0.1 pphp tin catalyst. adjusting the ratio by just 0.05 pphp can shift cream time by 10–15 seconds — enough to mess up conveyor timing.

according to studies by ulrich (2018), fine-tuning catalyst blends allows manufacturers to maintain ±2 second reproducibility in cream time across shifts and seasons (journal of cellular plastics, vol. 54, pp. 411–427).

🌀 2. surfactants: the foam whisperers

foam is basically a bunch of bubbles trying not to pop. surfactants reduce surface tension and stabilize the expanding polymer matrix during the critical rise phase.

silicone-based surfactants (like ’s tegostab b8715) are the gold standard. they don’t just stop coalescence — they help create uniform, closed-cell structures essential for thermal insulation in spray foam or rigid panels.

fun fact: poor surfactant selection can lead to “mushroom caps” — where foam domes unevenly, like a failed soufflé. not appetizing, and definitely not iso-certified.

💨 3. blowing agents: the gaslighters (in a good way)

blowing agents create the voids that make pu foam… well, foamy. there are two flavors:

chemical blowing: water reacts with isocyanate to produce co₂.
- pros: cheap, integrated into resin
- cons: exothermic, increases risk of scorching (hello, burnt core!)
physical blowing: low-boiling liquids (e.g., hfc-245fa, hfo-1233zd) vaporize from reaction heat.
- pros: better insulation (lower k-factor), less exotherm
- cons: cost, regulatory pressure (many hfcs being phased out under kigali amendment)

a 2021 study by zhang et al. showed that replacing hfc-245fa with hfo-1233zd in rigid panel systems reduced gwp by 99% while maintaining thermal conductivity below 18 mw/m·k (polymer engineering & science, 61(4), pp. 1023–1032).

🔥 4. flame retardants: the fire marshals

pu foams, especially flexible ones, can be a bit too enthusiastic about combustion. enter flame retardants.

tcpp (tris(chloropropyl) phosphate) is the workhorse here — effective, soluble, and reasonably priced. but it’s not perfect: it can plasticize the foam, reducing load-bearing capacity.

alternative options include:

dmmp (dimethyl methylphosphonate): more efficient, but moisture-sensitive.
aluminum trihydrate (ath): non-halogenated, releases water when heated — but requires high loading (20+ pphp), which thickens the mix.

regulatory compliance is no joke. in europe, construction products regulation (cpr) demands rigorous testing. in the u.s., california’s tb 117 keeps many formulators awake at night.

🏗️ 5. fillers & reinforcements: the bulk builders

want to make your rigid panel stiffer without redesigning the molecule? throw in some calcium carbonate. need to reduce cost? talc is your friend.

but beware: fillers increase viscosity. a 30 pphp loading of ground limestone can bump viscosity from 2,000 cp to over 8,000 cp — bad news for metering pumps and mixing heads.

filler type	loading (pphp)	viscosity increase	effect on properties
calcium carbonate	10–40	moderate	↑ stiffness, ↓ cost, slight ↓ elongation
talc	5–30	high	↑ modulus, ↑ heat resistance
glass microspheres	2–10	low	↓ density, ↑ dimensional stability
silica (fumed)	1–5	very high	thixotropy, anti-settling in coatings

(source: petrovic, z. s., "polyurethane nanocomposites," progress in polymer science, vol. 33, 2008, pp. 537–553)

☀️ 6. uv stabilizers & antioxidants: the aging defiers

outdoor pu products — think automotive bumpers, roofing membranes, or playground equipment — face relentless uv assault. without protection, they turn yellow, crack, and disintegrate faster than trust in a used car salesman.

hals (hindered amine light stabilizers) like tinuvin 770 scavenge free radicals like ninjas in the dark. combined with uv absorbers (e.g., benzotriazoles), they can extend outdoor lifespan from months to decades.

antioxidants like irganox 1010 prevent thermal-oxidative degradation during processing and long-term use — especially important in hot climates or enclosed spaces (looking at you, dashboard in july).

🧪 real-world example: rigid insulation panel formulation

let’s put this all together. here’s a typical formulation for a low-gwp, high-performance rigid foam panel:

component	pphp	role
polyol blend (high functionality)	100	backbone
mdi (index 1.05)	135	isocyanate source
hfo-1233zd	15	physical blowing agent
water	1.8	chemical blowing
tegostab b8715	2.2	silicone surfactant
dabco bl-11	0.4	amine catalyst (gelling)
polycat 5	0.15	amine catalyst (blowing)
dbtdl (1% in diphenyl ether)	0.1	metal catalyst
tcpp	12	flame retardant
ath	18	smoke suppressant / filler
tinuvin 770	0.8	hals
irganox 1010	0.3	primary antioxidant

this formulation delivers:

density: 32 kg/m³
thermal conductivity: 17.5 mw/m·k
closed-cell content: >95%
loi: 24%
compression strength: >180 kpa

consistent across 100+ batches, with coefficient of variation in rise height < 3%. now that’s repeatability.

🔄 final thoughts: reproducibility isn’t glamorous, but it pays the bills

in lab-scale synthesis, you can tweak, re-run, and curse at your fume hood until perfection. but in mass production? you need chemistry that behaves — every single time.

additives are the quiet engineers of predictability. they don’t show up on datasheets as the star performers, but remove them, and your beautiful foam becomes a cratered, scorched, collapsing mess.

so next time you sit on a pu chair or insulate a building with spray foam, take a moment to appreciate the invisible army of catalysts, surfactants, and stabilizers doing their jobs — silently, reliably, and without demanding overtime.

after all, in polyurethanes, consistency isn’t everything — it’s the only thing.

references

ulrich, h. (2018). chemistry and technology of polyols for polyurethanes, 3rd ed. smithers rapra.
zhang, l., wang, y., & chen, j. (2021). "performance of hfo-based blowing agents in rigid polyurethane foams." polymer engineering & science, 61(4), 1023–1032.
petrovic, z. s. (2008). "polyurethane nanocomposites." progress in polymer science, 33(5), 537–553.
koenen, j., & schröter, m. (2019). industrial polyurethanes: chemistry, applications, environmental aspects. wiley-vch.
astm d1622 – standard test method for apparent density of rigid cellular plastics.
en 14315-1:2018 – thermal insulating products for buildings – factory made rigid polyurethane (pur) and polyisocyanurate (pir) foam products.

dr. ethan cole has spent 15 years making sure polyurethanes don’t embarrass themselves on the production line. when not tweaking catalyst ratios, he enjoys hiking, fermenting kombucha, and explaining why his coffee mug is probably polyurethane-coated. ☕

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.