High Functionality Polyether Polyols

TRiiSO distributes a wide range of high functionality polyether polyols that allow formulators to produce high quality polyurethane elastomers.  Polyols contain reactive hydroxyl (OH) groups which react with isocyanate (NCO) groups on isocyanates to form polyurethane elastomers. 

Polyether-based polyurethane elastomers exhibit enhanced hydrolytic stability and excellent resistance to weak acids and bases compared to polyester-based polyurethane elastomers.  However, polyether-based polyurethane elastomers are more susceptible to UV radiation and provide poor resistance to oils and fuels compared to polyester-based polyurethane elastomers.

Polyether polyols are formed by propoxylating an initiator (addition of propylene oxide to an initiator).  In some cases, the initiator is ethoxylated (addition of ethylene oxide) as well as propoxylated.  Ethoxylation can be incorporated in the middle of the polyol, or at the end (tip) of the polyol. When polyether polyols have ethylene oxide tips, the resulting hydroxyl groups are primary hydroxyls; propylene oxide tips yield secondary hydroxyl groups.  Secondary hydroxyl groups react slower than primary hydroxyl groups as a result of the increased steric hindrance.  Ethylene oxide is more hydrophilic, and thus polyether polyols with ethylene content tend to produce polyurethane elastomers that are more hydrophilic than those produced with polyether polyols that are made solely with propylene oxide.  The initiator used to produce the polyol can impact reactivity as well as functionality of the polyol.  Amine initiated polyether polyols are self-catalyzing and react faster than standard glycol initiated polyether polyols.  Sucrose initiated polyols allow for the manufacture of polyols with greater than 7 hydroxyl groups compared to triols formed by trimethylolpropane.   

There are several key characteristics which define what performance properties a given high functionality polyether polyol will impart in a given polyurethane elastomer.  These characteristics include:  the hydroxyl number or hydroxyl value  (OH value), OH equivalent weight, molecular weight, and the functionality of the polyol.






High Functionality Polyether Polyols Products