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!

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.

LUPRANATE MM103

• Workhorse product
• Supply and cost effective
• Industry standard
• More variation in color

LUPRANATE 5143

• More consistent color on average
• Consistent composition on average
• Better shelf stability
• Made to order

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.

Did you know?

A carbodiimide-modified isocyanate is exactly what it says?  The pure-4,4-MDI is modified (reacted) into carbodiimides in order to create a stable, liquid MDI at room-temperature.  Otherwise, the pure-4,4-MDI will solidify at room temperature and form irreversible solids called dimer.

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!

LUPRANATE MP102

• Close to pure 4,4-MDI
• TPU-like elongation and strength in elastomers and microcellular foams
• Robust supply
• Will freeze at cooler temps

LUPRANATE 5090

• Cold-stable analog to MP102
• Good Supply
• Darker color on average
• Not quite as TPU-like as MP102

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.

PTMEG: PolyTHF 2000, 1000, and 650s

Polytetramethylene ether glycol. Locally produced in the USA!

• Good mechanical properties: abrasion resistance and tear strength
• Excellent resiliency over a wide range of temperatures
• Low temperature flexibility
• Superior hydrolytic stability
• Resistance against microbes and fungus attack
• Non-allergenic
• Superior dynamic properties (minimum heat build-up)
• High reactivity (bi-functional primary alcohol

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Flame Retardant – PHT4-Diol

It is recommended as a reactive flame retardant for Class 1 and Class 2 rigid polyurethane foam. PHT4-Diol foams can be formulated for excellent physical properties with favorable economics. Other applications areas include polyurethane RIM, elastomers, coatings, adhesives, and fibers.

PHT4-Diol is a tetrabromophthalate diol is a reactive flame retardant intermediate. It is a viscous, light brown colored liquid that exhibits excellent compatibility with a broad range of commercial polyols and blowing agents.

PHT4-Diol LV is a low viscosity version of PHT4-Diol that pours at room temperature. It is a drop-in replacement by weight for PHT4-Diol in most applications. It exhibits excellent compatibility with a broad range of commercial polyols and blowing agents.

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.

PLURACOL 2010 is formed by adding propylene oxide to a propylene glycol nucleus

PLURACOL 220 is a high molecular weight, primary hydroxyl terminated polyol.

Have Questions? We’re here to help!

Azelis Americas 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!

Talk to your Sales Representative or one of our technical experts to get started on your next big project!

¹ BASF_Formulation Additives