How to use DMCHA (N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine) to enhance the softness and comfort of polyurethane products

Use DMCHA (N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine) to enhance the softness and comfort of polyurethane products

Introduction

Polyurethane (PU) is a polymer material widely used in daily life and industrial fields. It is highly favored for its excellent mechanical properties, wear resistance, chemical resistance and processability. However, as consumers' requirements for product comfort and softness continue to increase, how to further improve the softness and comfort of polyurethane products has become an important research direction. As a highly efficient catalyst and modifier, N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA) has significant application potential in the production of polyurethane products. This article will discuss in detail how to use DMCHA to improve the softness and comfort of polyurethane products, covering its mechanism of action, application methods, product parameters and actual cases.

1. Basic characteristics and mechanism of DMCHA

1.1 Chemical structure and characteristics of DMCHA

DMCHA (N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine) is an organic amine compound with its chemical structure as follows:

Chemical Name	Molecular Formula	Molecular Weight	Appearance	Boiling point (℃)	Density (g/cm³)
N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine	C8H17N	127.23	Colorless transparent liquid	159-161	0.85-0.87

DMCHA has the following characteristics:

High-efficiency Catalyticity: DMCHA can significantly accelerate the reaction between isocyanate and polyol in the polyurethane reaction and shorten the curing time.
Low Volatility: DMCHA has a higher boiling point and low volatility, and is suitable for use in high temperature environments.
Good solubility: DMCHA can be compatible with a variety of organic solvents and polyurethane raw materials, making it easy to mix.

1.2 The mechanism of action of DMCHA in polyurethane

The role of DMCHA in polyurethane products is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

Catalytic Effect: DMCHA as a catalyst can accelerate isocyanic acidThe reaction of the esters and polyols promotes the growth and cross-linking of the polyurethane chain, thereby improving the mechanical properties of the material.
Adjust the reaction rate: By adjusting the dosage of DMCHA, the reaction rate of polyurethane can be accurately controlled to avoid defects caused by excessive or slow reaction.
Improve the microstructure: DMCHA can optimize the microstructure of polyurethane, making its molecular chain more uniform, thereby improving the softness and elasticity of the material.

2. Application method of DMCHA in polyurethane products

2.1 Process flow for adding DMCHA

In the production of polyurethane products, DMCHA is usually added to the starting material as a catalyst or modifier. The following is a typical process:

Raw Material Preparation: Weigh polyols, isocyanates, DMCHA and other additives in proportion.
Mix and stir: Mix the polyol and DMCHA to ensure uniform dispersion of the catalyst.
Reaction molding: Mix the mixed raw materials with isocyanate and inject them into the mold for reaction molding.
Post-treatment: Demold, trim and surface treatment of the molded products.

2.2 Addition of DMCHA and Effect

The amount of DMCHA added has a significant impact on the performance of polyurethane products. The following is the impact of different addition amounts on product performance:

DMCHA addition amount (wt%)	Reaction time (min)	Shore A	Tension Strength (MPa)	Elongation of Break (%)	Softness Evaluation
0.1	15	85	25	300	General
0.3	10	75	22	400	Better
0.5	8	65	20	500	Excellent
0.8	6	60	18	550	Excellent

It can be seen from the table that with the increase of DMCHA addition, the hardness of polyurethane products decreases, and the softness and elongation of break are significantly improved.

3. DMCHA key technology to improve the softness and comfort of polyurethane products

3.1 Optimized formula design

By adjusting the ratio of polyol to isocyanate and combining with the catalytic action of DMCHA, polyurethane formulations with excellent flexibility and comfort can be designed. Here are two typical recipes:

Raw Material Name	Formula A (wt%)	Formula B (wt%)
Polyol	60	55
Isocyanate	35	40
DMCHA	0.5	0.8
Other additives	4.5	4.2

Formulation A is suitable for ordinary soft products, and Formulation B is suitable for high soft products.

3.2 Control reaction conditions

Reaction temperature and time have an important influence on the performance of polyurethane products. The following is a comparison of performance under different reaction conditions:

Reaction temperature (℃)	Reaction time (min)	Shore A	Softness Evaluation
60	10	70	Better
80	8	65	Excellent
100	6	60	Excellent

3.3 Surface treatment technology

Through surface treatment technology (such as coating, embossing, etc.), the comfort and aesthetics of polyurethane products can be further improved. The following is a comparison of the effects of the two surface treatment technologies:

Surface treatment technology	Softness Evaluation	Comfort Evaluation	Aesthetic Evaluation
Coating Treatment	Better	Excellent	Excellent
Embroidery Processing	Excellent	Excellent	Better

IV. Application cases of DMCHA in different polyurethane products

4.1 Soft foam

Soft foam is one of the widely used types of polyurethane products and is often used in household products such as mattresses, sofas, etc. By adding DMCHA, the softness and resilience of the soft foam can be significantly improved.

Product Type	DMCHA addition amount (wt%)	Shore A	Rounce rate (%)	Comfort Evaluation
Ordinary soft foam	0.3	75	60	Better
High soft foam	0.5	65	70	Excellent

4.2 Elastomer

Polyurethane elastomers are widely used in soles, seals and other fields. By adding DMCHA, the flexibility and wear resistance of the elastomer can be improved.

Product Type	DMCHA addition amount (wt%)	Shore A	Abrasion resistance (mm³)	Comfort Evaluation
Ordinary Elastomer	0.2	80	50	General
High soft elastic body	0.4	70	40	Excellent

4.3 Coating material

Polyurethane coating materials are commonly used in the surface treatment of textiles and leather. By adding DMCHA, the softness and adhesion of the coating can be improved.

Product Type	DMCHA addition amount (wt%)	Adhesion (N/cm)	Softness Evaluation
Ordinary Coating	0.1	5	General
High soft coating	0.3	6	Excellent

V. Summary and Outlook

DMCHA as an efficient catalyst and modifier has significant advantages in improving the softness and comfort of polyurethane products. By optimizing the formulation design, controlling the reaction conditions and adopting advanced surface treatment technology, the role of DMCHA can be fully utilized to produce high-quality polyurethane products that meet consumer needs. In the future, with the continuous development of materials science, DMCHA's application prospects in the field of polyurethane will be broader.

The above content is a comprehensive analysis of using DMCHA to improve the softness and comfort of polyurethane products. I hope it will be helpful to relevant practitioners and researchers.