Amine Catalyst BL11: High-efficiency Solutions for Innovating Polyurethane Foaming Process

March 13, 2025by admin0

Amine Catalyst BL11: High-efficiency Solution to Innovate Polyurethane Foaming Process

Introduction: A revolution about “bubble”

In the world we live in, bubbles are everywhere. From the delicate milk foam on the surface of a cup of latte coffee I drank in the morning, to the dense foam that was rubbed out in my hands when I washed up at night, to the polyurethane foam material widely used in the industrial field, foam is not only a physical phenomenon, but also a technological miracle. And in this “bubble” revolution, the amine catalyst BL11 undoubtedly played a key role.

Polyurethane (PU) is a polymer material produced by the reaction of isocyanate and polyol. Due to its excellent performance, it is widely used in the fields of construction, automobile, home appliances, furniture, etc. However, the success of the polyurethane foaming process depends largely on the choice of the catalyst. As a highly efficient catalyst designed for polyurethane foaming process, BL11 is launching an industry change with its excellent catalytic performance, controllable reaction rate and environmentally friendly properties.

This article will conduct in-depth discussion on the chemical principles, product parameters, application fields and their far-reaching impact on the industry. At the same time, by comparing relevant domestic and foreign literature and technical data, we will reveal why this catalyst can become a “star” product in the polyurethane foaming process. Whether you are a professional in the chemical industry or an ordinary reader interested in new materials, this article will provide you with a comprehensive and interesting feast of knowledge.

Next, let’s go into the world of BL11 together and see how it makes “bubble” more perfect!

What is amine catalyst BL11?

Definition and mechanism of action

Amine catalyst BL11 is an organic amine compound, mainly used to promote the chemical reaction between isocyanate and water or polyol during the foaming process of polyurethane. Specifically, it can accelerate the occurrence of two key reactions:

Reaction of isocyanate and water: generate carbon dioxide gas, thereby forming a foam structure.
Reaction of isocyanate and polyol: Creates a hard segment structure, imparting mechanical strength and thermal stability to the foam material.

By precisely regulating the rate and proportion of these two reactions, BL11 can significantly improve the uniformity, density and mechanical properties of the foam. This “two-pronged” mechanism makes BL11 an indispensable core component in the polyurethane foaming process.

Chemical composition and molecular structure

The specific chemical composition of BL11 is a commercial secret, but according to public literature and industry experience, its main component is a complex amine compound, which usually includes the following types:/p>

Term amines: such as triethylamine (TEA), dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA), etc., which are used to promote hydrolysis reactions.
Modified amines: Enhance its compatibility and selectivity with the system by introducing specific functional groups (such as hydroxyl groups, ether bonds, etc.).
Synergy: Such as silicone substances, used to regulate the fluidity and flatness of foam.

Together, these ingredients form the unique formula of BL11, allowing it to maintain stable and efficient catalytic properties under complex and variable process conditions.

Principle of action of catalyst

To better understand the working principle of BL11, we need to review the basic chemical reaction equations of polyurethane foaming:

Main reaction:

Reaction of isocyanate and water:
[
R-NCO + H_2O rightarrow R-NH_2 + CO_2
]
(Create carbon dioxide gas, promotes foam expansion)
Reaction of isocyanate and polyol:
[
R-NCO + HO-R’-OH rightarrow R-NH-COO-R’
]
(Form a crosslinking network structure to impart foam strength)

The function of BL11:

BL11 significantly increases the reaction rate by reducing the activation energy of the above reaction. At the same time, due to its high selectivity, BL11 can preferentially promote a certain type of reaction (such as hydrolysis reaction), thereby achieving precise control of foam characteristics. For example, when a low-density foam is required, the proportion of the hydrolysis reaction can be increased by increasing the amount of BL11; and when the target is a high-strength foam, the amount of BL11 added can be appropriately reduced to optimize the effect of the crosslinking reaction.

Detailed explanation of product parameters

The following are the main technical parameters and their significance of BL11 catalyst:

parameter name	Unit	Typical value range	Explanation of meaning
Appearance	–	Light yellow transparent liquid	Reflects the purity and stability of the product
Density	g/cm³	0.95-1.05	Affects metrology accuracy and mixing uniformity
Viscosity (25℃)	mPa·s	30-70	Determines miscibility and operational convenience with other raw materials
Moisture content	%	≤0.1	Excessively high moisture may cause side reactions and affect product quality
Ammonia gas release	ppm	≤50	Control the emission of volatile substances, protect the environment and the health of operators
Flashpoint	℃	≥60	Indicates the safety of the product and avoids fire hazards
Thermal decomposition temperature	℃	≥180	Ensure stability under high temperature processing conditions

Summary of performance characteristics

High efficiency: Even at lower concentrations, BL11 can show significant catalytic effects and reduce raw material waste.
Controlability: By adjusting the formula, the needs of different application scenarios can be flexibly met.
Environmentality: Low volatile and low toxicity design, in line with the concept of modern green chemicals.
Compatibility: Good compatibility with a variety of polyurethane raw material systems and strong adaptability.

Comparison of current domestic and foreign research status and technology

Domestic research progress

In recent years, with the rapid development of my country’s polyurethane industry, important breakthroughs have also been made in the research and development of high-performance catalysts. For example, a well-known domestic chemical company developed a catalyst based on BL11, which further improved its catalytic efficiency and selectivity by introducing new functionalized amine groups. Experimental data show that under the same conditions, the improved catalyst can reduce foam density by about 10%, while maintaining excellent mechanical properties.

In addition, some universities and research institutes are also actively exploring the application boundaries of BL11. For example, a university team usesCalculational chemistry method simulates the interaction between BL11 molecules and isocyanate, revealing the specific location and mechanism of action of its catalytic activity center. This research result provides theoretical guidance for subsequent optimization of catalyst structure.

International Research Trends

In foreign countries, the research on BL11 has also attracted much attention. Developed countries in Europe and the United States have always been in a leading position in the catalyst field with their advanced chemical technology and perfect industrial chain advantages. For example, a famous American chemical company launched a product called “Catalyst X”, which has similar core components to BL11, but has more outstanding performance in temperature resistance and anti-aging ability.

It is worth mentioning that Japanese scientific researchers also proposed a new catalyst design concept – that is, to encapsulate amine catalysts in microcapsules through nanotechnology to achieve sustained release effect. This method can not only extend the validity period of the catalyst, but also effectively avoid side effects caused by excessive use.

Technical Comparative Analysis

The following is a technical comparison table of BL11 and similar catalysts:

Compare Items	BL11	Catalyst A	Catalyst B	Catalyst C
Catalytic Efficiency	★★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★☆
Selective	★★★★★☆	★★☆☆☆	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆
Environmental Performance	★★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★☆☆☆	★★★☆☆
Cost	Medium-high	Lower	Higher	High
Scope of application	Wide	Limitations	Special Domain	Wide

From the table above, it can be seen that although BL11 is not an “all-round champion” in the absolute sense, its comprehensive performance is excellent, especially in catalytic efficiency, selectivity and ringPerformance is particularly outstanding.

Application Fields and Typical Cases

Building insulation materials

In the field of building energy conservation, polyurethane foam has been widely used as an efficient insulation material. BL11 catalyst significantly improves its insulation effect by optimizing the pore structure and thermal conductivity of the foam. For example, in the exterior wall insulation project of a large residential project, the polyurethane foam board prepared with BL11 has increased its energy saving efficiency by about 15% compared to traditional products.

Home Appliance Manufacturing

In refrigerators, freezers and other home appliances, polyurethane foam is used as the insulation material for the inner liner interlayer. Because BL11 has good low temperature adaptability, the stability and durability of the foam can be guaranteed even in extremely cold environments. According to statistics, the average energy consumption of refrigerators produced with BL11 is about 10% lower than that of ordinary models.

Car interior

In the interior of modern automobiles, polyurethane foam is often used as filling materials for seats, ceilings and door panels. BL11 provides passengers with a more comfortable riding experience by adjusting the softness and hardness of the foam. In addition, its excellent weathering properties also ensure that the foam material can maintain a good appearance and function after long-term use.

Looking forward: The infinite possibilities of BL11

With the advancement of science and technology and changes in social needs, the application prospects of BL11 catalyst will be broader. For example, in the field of new energy, BL11 is expected to help develop higher-performance lithium battery separator materials; in the field of aerospace, its lightweight and high-strength characteristics also provide new ideas for the design of next-generation aircraft.

In short, the amine catalyst BL11 is not only a powerful tool in the polyurethane foaming process, but also a powerful driving force for the development of the entire chemical industry. Let’s wait and see and look forward to it bringing more surprises in the future!