The early stages of formulating a new polyurethane system is heavy with product data research and calculations. Postulating performance properties from data sheets with targets to meet regulatory standards, energy consumption, and costs is no easy feat. Sometimes ingredients can look like identical twins on paper, but give you a very different outcome in the final system.
Azelis Americas is a primary supplier to manufacturers of polyurethane systems, with industry experts to help you on your formulating journey. Take a look at these featured products for additional insight that allows you to spot the difference in the ingredients you need for your next polyurethane formula!
Carbodiimide-Modified Isocyanate
LUPRANATE MM103 and LUPRANATE 5143
BASF LUPRANATE MM103 and LUPRANATE 5143 isocyanates look like identical twins on paper. They are a carbodiimide-modified isocyanate around 29.5% free-NCO and 30 cps. All major urethane producers have such a product. They look the same… but they are not.
How to Choose?
Is one LUPRANATE better than the other? That depends on the application. In many larger volume applications, especially when final color is not a consideration, you might benefit from the cost effective LUPRANATE MM103. In other prepolymers or 2K elastomers where outcome consistency is desired, the LUPRANATE 5143 may have an advantage. Each helps the formulator in a different way. The CASE formulator is welcome to have both in their toolbox.
MDI Prepolymers
The LUPRANATE MP102 and LUPRANATE 5090 are another set of isocyanate twins in the BASF portfolio. Both are MDI-based prepolymers with approximately 23% NCO and 700 cps. Again, they look the same on paper, but they have different purposes!
How to Choose?
The LUPRANATE MP102 can be purchased from BASF in every major region of the globe. LUPRANATE MP102 is industry standard for light prepolymer that gives TPU-like flexibility with strength to all manner of industrial and consumer urethanes. However, the LUPRANATE MP102 is sensitive to lower temperatures and always processed within an industrial facility. Shipping and handling during the winter is tricky and expensive.
In North America, formulators can also use the LUPRANATE 5090 to tackle 2-component applications in customer or field environments without much temperature control. LUPRANATE 5090 also makes very good cast elastomers, potting compounds and microcellular foam. The downside is that LUPRANATE 5090 is often darker than LUPRANATE MP102.
Polyether Polyols
PLURACOL® is a diverse range of polyether polyols including conventional and graft polyols. The PLURACOL graft series are polyether products containing dispersed particles of co-polymerized styrene and acrylonitrile, or SAN particles. These products offer property improvements for certain applications such as flexible foam and urethane elastomers.
Have Questions? We’re here to help!
Azelis CASE has technical experts and formulating chemists creating new products in our world-class laboratories. We are ready to share our knowledge and experience with you!
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The information contained in this document is made without guarantee and warranty, express or implied, regarding the suitability for use, merchantability, or performance of the formulation and its ingredients in any application. It is the sole responsibility of the user of this information to determine validity, applicability, and performance of the information, formulations, and claims prior to commercialization, use, and application thereof.
