Fiber optics urethane reaction monitoring:

Key words fiber optics urethane reaction monitoring... 

Mid-IR fiber optics provides a convenient way to monitor many kinds of chemical reactions in situ and in real time. Isocyanate chemistry, both in the solution phase and in the form of urethane foams and binders, lends itself well to this approach. It is shown in this paper that the calibration of mid-IR fiber optics is simple and transferable between probes and probe heads, and that useful information about reaction rates and extent of cure can be obtained by simple peak area measurements in many cases. 

The monitoring of isocyanate reactions, including urethane formation in foams and binders, can be conveniently carried out using mid-IR fiber optic spectroscopy. Once the spectroscopic evolution of a particular reaction is understood, a simple measure of the degree of curing of a urethane material can be developed by using a ratio of peak areas for a characteristic peak arising from the precursor and one from the product. In case such as that of the simulated solid fuel discussed above, the small batch reactions used in the industry can be monitored in situ when this method is combined with the use of mid-IR fiber optics, which offer a combination of convenience and robust calibration. 

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