DMCHA: The preferred catalyst in polyurethane foam production
Introduction
Polyurethane foam is a polymer material widely used in construction, furniture, automobiles, packaging and other fields. Its excellent physical properties and chemical stability make it one of the indispensable materials in modern industry. In the production process of polyurethane foam, the choice of catalyst is crucial, which not only affects the reaction rate, but also directly affects the performance of the final product. As a highly efficient catalyst, DMCHA (N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine) has become the preferred catalyst in the production of polyurethane foam due to its excellent catalytic properties and wide application range.
1. Basic properties of DMCHA
1.1 Chemical structure
The chemical name of DMCHA is N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine, and its molecular formula is C8H17N. It is a colorless to light yellow liquid with a unique amine odor. The molecular structure of DMCHA contains one cyclohexane ring and two methyl substituted amino groups, which confers good solubility and reactivity.
1.2 Physical Properties
| parameters | value |
|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | 127.23 g/mol |
| Boiling point | 160-162°C |
| Density | 0.85 g/cm³ |
| Flashpoint | 45°C |
| Solution | Easy soluble in water and organic solvents |
1.3 Chemical Properties
DMCHA is a strong basic compound with good nucleophilicity and reactivity. It can react with isocyanate (NCO) groups to form carbamates, thereby promoting the formation of polyurethane foam. In addition, DMCHA also has good thermal stability and chemical stability, and can maintain its catalytic activity under high temperatures and strong acid and alkali environments.
2. Application of DMCHA in the production of polyurethane foam
2.1 Catalytic mechanism
DMCHA is mainly used as a foaming catalyst in the production process of polyurethane foam. The catalytic mechanism is as follows:
-
Reaction of isocyanate and water: DMCHA can catalyze the reaction of isocyanate and water to form carbon dioxideand amine. Carbon dioxide acts as a foaming agent to expand the polyurethane foam and form a porous structure.
[
R-NCO + H_2O xrightarrow{DMCHA} R-NH_2 + CO_2
] -
Reaction of isocyanate and polyol: DMCHA can also catalyze the reaction of isocyanate and polyol to form carbamate, forming the backbone structure of polyurethane.
[
R-NCO + R’-OH xrightarrow{DMCHA} R-NH-COO-R’
]
2.2 Application Advantages
- High-efficiency Catalysis: DMCHA has high catalytic activity, can significantly increase the reaction rate and shorten the production cycle.
- Good foaming effect: DMCHA can catalyze the foaming reaction evenly, making the foam structure uniform and the pore size distribution reasonable.
- Excellent physical properties: Polyurethane foams using DMCHA as catalyst have high mechanical strength and good elasticity.
- Wide application range: DMCHA is suitable for a variety of types of polyurethane foams, including soft foams, rigid foams and semi-rigid foams.
2.3 Application Example
2.3.1 Soft polyurethane foam
Soft polyurethane foam is widely used in furniture, mattresses, car seats and other fields. As a foaming catalyst, DMCHA can make the foam have good elasticity and comfort.
| parameters | value |
|---|---|
| Density | 20-40 kg/m³ |
| Tension Strength | 80-120 kPa |
| Elongation | 150-250% |
| Rounce rate | 40-60% |
2.3.2 Rigid polyurethane foam
Rough polyurethane foam is mainly used in the fields of building insulation, refrigeration equipment, etc. DMCHA can make the foam have high mechanical strength and good thermal insulation properties.
| parameters | value |
|---|---|
| Density | 30-50 kg/m³ |
| Compression Strength | 150-250 kPa |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.020-0.025 W/m·K |
| Water absorption | <2% |
2.3.3 Semi-rigid polyurethane foam
Semi-rigid polyurethane foam is often used in automotive interiors, packaging materials and other fields. DMCHA can make foam have good cushioning and energy absorption properties.
| parameters | value |
|---|---|
| Density | 50-80 kg/m³ |
| Compression Strength | 100-200 kPa |
| Rounce rate | 30-50% |
| Energy absorption performance | Excellent |
I. Comparison between DMCHA and other catalysts
3.1 Commonly used catalysts
In the production of polyurethane foam, commonly used catalysts include tertiary amine catalysts, metal catalysts, and organotin catalysts. Here are some comparisons of several common catalysts:
| Catalytic Type | Pros | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Term amine catalysts | High catalytic activity and good foaming effect | The smell is strong and it is irritating to the skin |
| Metal Catalyst | High catalytic activity and fast reaction rate | The price is high and has a great impact on the environment |
| Organotin Catalyst | High catalytic activity and fast reaction rate | More toxic and harmful to the environment and the human body |
| DMCHA | High catalytic activity, good foaming effect, environmentally friendly | Relatively high price |
3.2 Advantages of DMCHA
- Environmentality: DMCHA has low toxicity, less harmful to the environment and the human body, and meets the environmental protection requirements of modern industry.
- High efficiency: DMCHA has high catalytic activity, which can significantly increase the reaction rate and shorten the production cycle.
- Veriofunction: DMCHA can not only catalyze foaming reactions, but also catalyze gel reactions, making polyurethane foam have good physical properties.
IV. DMCHA production process
4.1 Raw material preparation
DMCHA production raw materials mainly include cyclohexylamine and formaldehyde. Cyclohexylamine is a common organic amine, and formaldehyde is a commonly used aldehyde compound.
4.2 Reaction process
The production process of DMCHA mainly includes the following steps:
-
Reaction of cyclohexylamine and formaldehyde: Cyclohexylamine and formaldehyde react under acidic conditions to form N-methylcyclohexylamine.
[
C6H{11}NH_2 + CH_2O rightarrow C6H{11}NHCH_3 + H_2O
] -
Reaction of N-methylcyclohexylamine and formaldehyde: N-methylcyclohexylamine and formaldehyde further react to form DMCHA.
[
C6H{11}NHCH_3 + CH_2O rightarrow C6H{11}N(CH_3)_2 + H_2O
]
4.3 Product Refining
After the reaction is completed, DMCHA is purified by distillation, extraction and other processes to obtain high-purity DMCHA products.
V. Market prospects of DMCHA
5.1 Market demand
With the wide application of polyurethane foam in various fields, the demand for efficient catalysts is increasing. As an efficient and environmentally friendly catalyst, DMCHA has market demandContinuous growth.
5.2 Development trends
- Environmental Catalyst: With the increasing strictness of environmental protection regulations, environmentally friendly catalysts will become the mainstream in the market. DMCHA has broad market prospects due to its low toxicity and environmental protection.
- High-performance catalysts: With the continuous expansion of the application field of polyurethane foam, the requirements for catalyst performance are becoming increasingly high. DMCHA will become the first choice for high-performance catalysts due to its high efficiency and versatility.
5.3 Market Challenges
- Price Competition: DMCHA has relatively high production costs and faces the challenges of price competition.
- Technical barriers: DMCHA’s production process is relatively complex and the technical barriers are high, and new entrants face greater technical challenges.
VI. Conclusion
DMCHA is a highly efficient and environmentally friendly catalyst and has a wide range of application prospects in the production of polyurethane foam. Its excellent catalytic properties and versatility make it a preferred catalyst in polyurethane foam production. With the increasing strict environmental regulations and the continuous expansion of the application field of polyurethane foam, the market demand for DMCHA will continue to grow. However, DMCHA has high production costs and large technical barriers. Enterprises need to continue to work hard in technological innovation and cost control to cope with market challenges and seize development opportunities.
Appendix: DMCHA product parameter table
| parameters | value |
|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | 127.23 g/mol |
| Boiling point | 160-162°C |
| Density | 0.85 g/cm³ |
| Flashpoint | 45°C |
| Solution | Easy soluble in water and organic solvents |
| Catalytic Activity | High |
| Environmental | Low toxicity, environmentally friendly |
| Scope of application | Soft, hard, semi-rigid polyurethane foam |
Through the above content, we can fully understand the importance and application advantages of DMCHA in the production of polyurethane foam. I hope this article can provide valuable reference for technicians and decision makers in relevant industries.
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