Urethane Chemicals

TMXDI^® (META) aliphatic isocyanate is a monomer used primarily as an intermediate in the manufacture of solvent-free, polyurethane dispersions used in water-based coatings, adhesives and inks. 

CYDROTHANE^® polyurethane dispersions are solvent-free, TMXDI based polyurethane dispersions supplied by Cytec for use in a variety of coating, adhesive and ink formulations. These polyurethane dispersions provide unique performance benefits including low VOCs, tough-flexible films, superior adhesion and low heat activation, combined with good heat resistance in adhesive applications.

TMI^® (META) unsaturated aliphatic isocyanate is a unique bifunctional monomer with a reactive isocyanate (NCO) and vinyl bond (CH3-C=CH2) used primarily in latex and specialty polymer synthesis. TMI is used in specialty products ranging from surfactants to specialty plastics and urethane foams.

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TMXDI (META) Aliphatic Isocyanate

TMXDI is a tertiary aliphatic diisocyanate with a high level of steric hindrance The product is used primarily to produce solvent-free, water-based polyurethane dispersions that are formulated into low VOC, light stable, water-based coatings, adhesives and inks. The value-added benefits of TMXDI are as follows:

1. Solvent-free manufacturing ease – due to low pre-polymer viscosity and no side reactions
2. Performance benefits:
   a) Very low VOC – 0.3 lb/gallon; solvent free
   b) Tough and flexible – high elongation with good tensile strength
   c) Excellent adhesion to difficult substrates (e.g., low surface energy polymers, oily leather, etc.)
   d) Ability to formulate adhesives with low heat activation temperature and good heat resistance without crosslinking
   e) Toxicity – lung toxic but NOT a pulmonary sensitizer; most TMXDI-based polyurethane dispersions are sanctioned under FDA 175.105 (adhesives for indirect food contact)

CYDROTHANE Polyurethane Dispersions

Cytec’s line of solvent-free, TMXDI-based polyurethane dispersions are designed for use in formulating water-based coatings, adhesives and inks. The performance benefits are similar to those identified under TMXDI polyurethane dispersions.

• CYDROTHANE HP polyurethane dispersions – primarily for coatings applications; low VOC, tough and flexible, superior adhesion performance to difficult substrates. HP polyurethane dispersions can be crosslinked to provide improved solvent resistance using a variety of ambient and baked cure crosslinkers.
• CYDROTHANE HA polyurethane dispersions – primarily for heat activated adhesive applications; superior adhesion to difficult and low surface energy substrates; low heat activation and good heat resistance without crosslinking.
• CYDROTHANE SB-4040 polyurethane resin – a unique polyether polyurethane resin based on TMXDI in an ethyl alcohol solution; used as an adhesion promoter in both water-based and solvent-based coatings, adhesives and inks.

Select CYDROTHANE HP and HA dispersions, in addition to SB-4040 resin, can also be used in various ink applications.

TMI (META) Unsaturated Aliphatic Isocyanate

TMI is a unique bifunctional monomer with a reactive isocyanate and vinyl (iso-propenyl) bond used in latex and specialty polymer synthesis.

• For self-crosslinking latex – the tertiary-NCO group can be blocked with MEKO or other blocking agents and copolymerized into a hydroxyl or amine functional latex. The NCO deblocks with heat and crosslinks with OH or NH/NH2 groups; 10-20ºC lower deblocking temperature can be a performance benefit.
• For functionalized latex – the tertiary-NCO group can be reacted with OH or NH functional  adducts and the vinyl group co-polymerized into the latex backbone to produce a rheology   modifier or polymerizable surfactant toprovide customized latex properties.Additional ideas and data for TMI latex modification were developed in a Cytec sponsored study at Lehigh University(Emulsion Polymers Institute) and are available upon request.

Methyl Carbamate & meta-Diisopropenylbenzene
Other commercially available products related to our Urethane Chemicals line include Methyl Carbamate (MEC) and meta-Diisopropenylbenzene (DIPEB), which are used in a variety of specialty end-use applications.

MEC structure	DIPEB structure

Technical Information