Advances in Trimer Catalysts for Improved Processing of Polyisocyanurate Foams

摘要

Polyisocyanurate (PIR) rigid foams are widely used in construction and insulation applications, due to their thermal conductivity properties, resistance to fire, outstanding mechanical properties and high resistance to microbes and mold. Typical applications include; commercial roofs, commercial and residential walls and even aesthetic, architectural applications. Over the years, there has been a trend towards increasing panel or block thickness, as a result of increasing legislative and environmental requirements. Although beneficial to insulation performance, this trend further challenges producers to manufacture panels or blocks with excellent aesthetics and minimal scrap. This paper will present novel technical approaches for improving performance, through differentiated amino and metallic trimer catalyst technologies. These technologies assist formulators in refining appearance, and thermal and mechanical properties, in addition to reducing waste through processing improvements. The authors will provide kinetics data that demonstrates minimizing of the 'timer bump' or 'surge' characteristic of traditional metal carboxylate technologies, such as potassium octoate, through the use of new and alternative carboxylate technologies, such as Dabco® TMR-7 and Dabco TMR-20. This enhancement will allow producers to provide a quality end-product. The authors will also demonstrate that other physical properties will remain unchanged.