Polyurethanes viscosity

Turbulence proprieties. Used to describe an erratic, tumbling flow of liquid elastomer through a mold or cavity during filling. Usually caused by poor mold design, incorrect location of the polyurethane pouring point, obstructions in the mold or cavity, or high polyurethane viscosity. 

For thermosets with conqilicated reaction mechanisms or where the conqiosition and functionalities of the molecules in the resin mixture are unknown, an enqiiricd ai oach is necessary. In order to describe the viscosity of polyester matrices Kenny et al. (3) adopted a model similar to file one originally used by Castro and Macosko for polyurethanes viscosity (50) ... 

Water-borne adhesives are preferred because of restrictions on the use of solvents. Low viscosity prepolymers are emulsified in water, followed by chain extension with water-soluble glycols or diamines. As cross-linker PMDI can be used, which has a shelf life of 5 to 6 h in water. Water-borne polyurethane coatings are used for vacuum forming of PVC sheeting to ABS shells in automotive interior door panels, for the lamination of ABS/PVC film to treated polypropylene foam for use in automotive instmment panels, as metal primers for steering wheels, in flexible packaging lamination, as shoe sole adhesive, and as tie coats for polyurethane-coated fabrics. PMDI is also used as a binder for reconstituted wood products and as a foundry core binder. 

An entirely new concept was iatroduced iato mbber technology with the idea of "castable" elastomers, ie, the use of Hquid, low molecular-weight polymers that could be linked together (chain-extended) and cross-linked iato mbbery networks. This was an appealing idea because it avoided the use of heavy machinery to masticate and mix a high viscosity mbber prior to mol ding and vulcanization. In this development three types of polymers have played a dominant role, ie, polyurethanes, polysulftdes, and thermoplastic elastomers. 

There is persisting interest in nylon-RIM materials as alternatives to polyurethane-RIM. Advantages of the nylon materials are the better shelf life and lower viscosity of the reaction components, ability to mould thick-walled articles, absence of a need for mould lubrication and the ability to avoid using isocyanates with their associated hazards. The main disadvantages of nylon-RIM are the need to have heated storage tanks and elevated temperature reactions, difficulties in catalyst handling and the high water absorption of the product. Possible markets include exterior car body components and appliance and business machine components. 

A wide range of polyurethane-type products has become available in recent years for coating applications. These include simple solutions of linear polyurethanes, two-pot alkyd-isocyanate and polyether-isocyanate systems and a variety of prepolymer and adduct systems. The coatings can vary considerably in hardness and flexibility and find use mainly because of their toughness, abrasion resistance and flexibility. Uses include metal finishes in chemical plant, wood finishes for boats and sports equipment, finishes for rubber goods and rain-erosion-resistant coatings for aircraft. One type of coating is potentially competitive with PVC leathercloth. Both alkyd-di-isocyanate and adduct-diisocyanate compositions may be coated on to fabrics from solutions of controlled viscosity and solids content. Such coated fabrics are soft, flexible and, unlike PVC leathercloth, free from plasticisers. 

Over the years many blends of polyurethanes with other polymers have been prepared. One recent example is the blending of polyurethane intermediates with methyl methacrylate monomer and some unsaturated polyester resin. With a suitable balance of catalysts and initiators, addition and rearrangement reactions occur simultaneously but independently to give interpenetrating polymer networks. The use of the acrylic monomer lowers cost and viscosity whilst blends with 20% (MMA + polyester) have a superior impact strength. 

Thickeners. Thickeners increase the viscosity of the polychloroprene latex adhesives. Amounts up to 1% of polyacrylates, methyl cellulose, alginates and polyurethane thickeners can be used. Particular attention should be paid to fluctuations in pH when thickener is added in the formulations. For low-pH (7-10) formulations, fumed silica or some silicates can be used. 

Fig. 5. Viscosity versus time — bonding process for a waterborne polyurethane dispersion.

Figure 25 Variation of apparent viscosity with the percent polyurethane rubber in XNBR-AU blends.

Example 2. Two-Shot Cast Elastomer (Prepolymer Method). Synthesis of polyurethane elastomers via the prepolymer method is challenging and requires especial attention to details and techniques. This example is a relatively easy one, using a low-viscosity, 9.6% NCO MDI-based poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol prepolymer. It is adapted from the Bayer Product Information Bulletin for Baytec ME-090 prepolymer. 

This equation is based on a light scattering-intrinsic viscosity correlation for pentanediol based polyurethanes ( ). No molecular weight degradation in DMF was observed after aging the solutions for several days. 

Table II. Composition and intrinsic viscosity of TDI- or MDI-based polyurethanes...

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