Union Carbide Corporation

Robert Donovan Duffy

Michael R Sandner

Eldon Charles Stout

Cellular urethane polymers are provided by effecting the reaction of an organic polyol reactant comprising a polyether polyol and an organic polyisocyanate reactant in the presence of a blowing agent and a catalyst system comprising a tertiary-dimethylamino ether mono-ol. In the dimethylamino ether mono-ols employed as catalysts in the practice of the invention, the tertiary-dimethylamino group and the hydroxyl group are positioned beta to a common acyclic ether oxygen atom or to different acyclic ether oxygen atoms which in turn are positioned beta to one another. The said dimethylamino ether mono-ols are versatile, low odor catalysts and are useful in forming cellular urethane polymers ranging from all water-blown flexible polyether foam to all fluorocarbon-blown rigid foam including semi-flexible and high-resilience foam products. Especially preferred for use in the practice of the invention are 2-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)ethanol and 2-[2-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)ethoxy]ethanol either as such or in combination with other catalysts including other tertiary-amine components and/or organic compounds of tin. Also provided are blended catalyst systems comprising said dimethylamino ether mono-ols.

Catalyst systems containing dimethylamino ether mono-ols for

This invention relates to novel polyurethane prepolymers which consist essentially of the reaction product of a polyoxyalkylene polyol having a critical oxyethylene content and an isocyanate constituent, the reaction product having a defined level of free NCO. Particularly useful prepolymers are produced using a tolylene diisocyanate residue. The prepolymers provided have outstanding utility for rebonding polyurethane foams for applications such as, for example, carpet underlays and allow significant reductions in the adhesive level used in forming such rebonded foams and in the demolding cure times in comparison with presently used prepolymer adhesives. The prepolymers are also useful for applications in which polyurethane prepolymers are used presently such as, for example, in hydrophilic foams.

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Summersville, WV, United States of America

Robert Donovan Duffy