The PPG (polypropylene glycol) are core building blocks used in the production of polyurethanes for an endless range of applications. This family of polyether polyols are the most widely used and versatile group of polyols in polyurethanes, accounting for over 70% of the consumption of polyols in the polyurethane market.
The PPG (polypropylene glycol) are core building blocks used in the production of polyurethanes for an endless range of applications. This family of polyether polyols are the most widely used and versatile group of polyols in polyurethanes, accounting for over 70% of the consumption of polyols in the polyurethane market.
In polyurethanes, PPG polyether polyols exhibit excellent hydrolytic stability, good low temperature flexibility (Tg's ~ -65°C), a broad range of hardness values, durability, good resistance to weak acids and bases, ease of handling (liquids at ambient temperatures and low viscosities) and the lowest relative costs. PPG polyether types are offered in grades designed for rigid polyurethane foam, flexible polyurethane foam, elastomers and others (molded foam, microcellular foam, etc.) applications. The impressive array of PPG polyether functionalities and molecular weights permits tailoring of polyurethane properties to specific requirements in multiple industries.
The PPG (polypropylene glycol) are core building blocks used in the production of polyurethanes for an endless range of applications. This family of polyether polyols are the most widely used and versatile group of polyols in polyurethanes, accounting for over 70% of the consumption of polyols in the polyurethane market.
In polyurethanes, PPG polyether polyols exhibit excellent hydrolytic stability, good low temperature flexibility (Tg's ~ -65°C), a broad range of hardness values, durability, good resistance to weak acids and bases, ease of handling (liquids at ambient temperatures and low viscosities) and the lowest relative costs. PPG polyether types are offered in grades designed for rigid polyurethane foam, flexible polyurethane foam, elastomers and others (molded foam, microcellular foam, etc.) applications. The impressive array of PPG polyether functionalities and molecular weights permits tailoring of polyurethane properties to specific requirements in multiple industries.
The many different application platforms for polyether polyols include the following:
-Rigid polyols for construction and building systems
-Rigid polyols for insulation foam materials
-High resiliency polyols for automotive seating and panels
-Flexible polyols for furniture, cushions, and bedding foam products
-Flexible polyols for packaging protective materials
-Flexible polyols for high performance footwear
-Flexible polyols for CASE markets
Other applications include sponges, heat and acoustic insulators, vibration dampening, automotive bumpers and floor covering.
PPG polyether polyols are produced by reacting propylene oxide (PO) monomer with an "initiator" (water, glycerin, sorbitol, sucrose, amines, etc.) under catalytic conditions. The multifunctional initiators allow the production of very high functionality polyols, a unique feature of the polyether polyols. Molecular weight of these polyether polyols varies from about 300 to as high as 6000.
Potassium hydroxide has been the traditional catalyst used to produce PPG polyols. DMC catalyst technology based on Double Metal Cyanides has been introduced to allow the production of high molecular weight PPG polyols with a much higher hydroxyl end functionality. Ethylene oxide is often used to end-cap or "tip" the PPG polyols to afford the more reactive primary hydroxyl end-group functionality.