•
CHEMICALS
Poiyethers for Urethane Foams W y a n d o t t e Chemicals' poiyethers in 30-cents-perpound range vie with polyesters at 4 5 to 55 cents IN
INTRODUCING A
SERIES OF POLY-
ETHERS for use in u r e t h a n e foam manufacturing, W y a n d o t t e Chemicals this past week injected a further optimistic note into the well-publicized urethane plastics industry. T h e n e w poiyethers, in t h e 30-cent-per-pound range, not only will compete favorably with polyesters on a cost basis, but, says Wyandotte, can offer improved product properties and durability. W y a n d o t t e ' s poiyethers are of two general types—the Pluronic polyether glycol members, three of which are now m a d e commercially, and a series based on its Tetronic series of nonionic surface active agents. T h e company says that when it completes laboratory and fielcl work, t h e additional members will be announced. T h e poiyethers are block polymers b a s e d on propylene a n d ethylene oxides, with molecular weights ranging from 2000 t o 6000. Properties which render t h e m most suitable for polyu r e t h a n e use include the fact t h e y are semi viscous liquids having a specific
gravity of about 1, a maximum water content of 0 . 1 % , a n d a negligible acid number. T h e company s a y s its Pluronic L61 polyol h a s a hydroxyl number of about 56; a m e m b e r of the Tetronic series, 701 polyol, will h a v e a hydroxyl number of about 6 5 . T h e physical properties of Pluronicand Tetronic-based foams s h o w e d no significant change under accelerated high temperature-humidity tests conducted by t h e company. Tests were SPI Specification (70° C. and 95% relative humidity for seven d a y s ) . Additional and varied aging tests are continuing. D e p e n d i n g upon the cross-linking agent used, such as trimethylol propane or W y a n d o t t e ' s Quadrol, a n d the use of mixtures of Pluronic and Tetronic polyols, t h e company says properties of die polyether-type urethane foams c a n b e varied a lot. Thus, flexible foams varying from highly resilient ones suitable for cushioning to relatively dead ones used in automotive crash p a d s c a n b e formulated.
W y a n d o t t e Chemicals' n e w special poiyethers were announced Jan. 1 5 by Frank B. Wolcott ( l e f t ) , vice president of t l i e company a n d general manager of t h e research a n d engineering division, and J. William Zabor, director of W y a n d o t t e ' s research center. Samples oi foams i n which new p r o d u c t is used are shown 78
C&EN
JAN.
2 1.
1957
W i t h an eye on t h e costs saved b y its poiyethers over currendy used polyesters, Wyandotte states t h a t its research and development staffs are now cooperating with chemical companies a n d other industries to evaluate poiyethers in a great number of polyu r e t h a n e resin applications. These may r u n t h e gamut from films to coatings a n d adhesives t o elastomers. Company officials state t h a t two major automobile producers a r e already using crash p a d foams formulated from t h e poiyethers and are experimenting with other applications. As would be expected, they are also of interest to producers of such items as mattresses a n d other forms of cushioning, carpeti n g underlay, insulating materials, and sandwich materials for aircraft components. • Catalyst, Too. A n e w catalyst for polyurethane preparations has also been developed by W y a n d o t t e . Although t h e chemical composition is confidential at this time, it is said to b e a piperazine derivative which W y a n d o t t e classifies as a catalyst with reaction characteristics comparable to N-methylmorphoiine. T h e big difference—it's odorless a n d produces foams which are odorfree even right after manufacture. T h e new cross-linking agent, Quadrol, is also b e i n g m a d e available. W y a n dotte says this is p r e p a r e d b y condensi n g four molecules of propylene oxide with ethylenediamine. I t is said t o offer promising rigid foams both with poiyethers a n d with castor oil-based formulations. • The Cost Is t h e Thing. With physical properties keeping pace with t h e polyesters, price would appear to g o v e r n the extent of the m a r k e t the new poiyethers will find. W i t h the price p e r p o u n d for its Pluronic a n d Tetronic poiyethers about 3 0 cents i n tank car quantities (below the cost of foamg r a d e polyesters currendy in the 4 5 - to 55-cent r a n g e ) , t h e poiyethers appear t o have a ready niche cut o u t for t h e m . W y a n d o t t e is prepared to offer t h e m in tank car quantity, b u t should some major automotive producer decide t o use t h e m in volume, W y a n d o t t e says that with reasonable notice, it would take steps to meet any such demands. T h e company says that r a w material costs for a suitable foam formulation with either Pluronic or Tetronic polyol will b e in the range of from 40 t o 60 cents per pound—depending on specific formulation a n d actual polyether tank c a r price. C1
• Staoffer Chemical is offering what it says is an improved type of insoluble sulfur for use in rubber compounding. P r o d u c t will b e marketed under Crystex t r a d e n a m e b u t as a specially oil-treated
New Price Reduction
AEKV
for
cyanuric chloride
broadens potential It will pay to take a new look at the wide fields that now open for potential applications of AERO Cyanuric Chloride. Cost considerations, which have been a barrier in many fields in the past, no longer prevent you from enjoying the benefits of this remarkable intermediate. Now down t o one third of its initial commercial price of six years ago, AERO Cyanuric Chloride is showing increasing promise in the production of agricultural insecticides, specialty resins, surfactants and rubber chemicals. Large current volume usage in the manufacture of optical brighteners continues to expand. T h e number of possible derivatives based on the remarkably stable triazine ring of Cyanuric Chloride are virtually unlimited. For details on the chemistry of this product, request a copy of
applications!
theCyanamid bookletl'AERO Cyanuric Chloride." It also contains extensive information on applications, well indexed as to source material. :!c
Trademark
C YAM^A. AMERICAN
JV4T J X»
CYAINA.V1ID
COMPANY
MANUFACTURERS CHEMICALS DEPARTMENT 3 0 Rockefeller Plaza, N e w York 2 0 . N. Y .
In C a n a d a : North American Cyanamid Limited. Toronto a n d Montreal
JAN.
2 1,
1957 C&EN
7 9
CHEMICALS
AsrMt
I N S T R U M E N T S
'provide greater
provide greater
provide greater
versatility
accuracy
reliability
...through a wider choice of operating ranges, response speeds, sizes and types of samples, sensitivity, and a variety of accessories and custom adaptations for special problems. Cary instruments are used for exacting analytical work of all types — from plant process control to complex research problems.
...by the use of advanced design principles which insure maximum performance permitted by the state of the art, and developments which provide sensitivity, stability and reproducibility which cannot be obtained with other makes of standard instruments.
For example, sapphire and carboloy is used at points of critical wear; kinematic principles are employed wherever positions or motions must be precise and reproducible; and circuits are designed so even large changes in characteristics of vacuum tubes and-other components will not affect performance.
I N S T R U M E N T S #OJF|L A N A L Y T I C A L R E S E A R C H AND PROCESS STREAM CONTROL
M i n i
i ; M i i i I
RECORDING SPECTROPHOTOMETERS-For rapid recording of spectra with good resolving power and high photometric accuracy. Provide the ruggedness and reliability needed for routine laboratory use, plus the flexibility to handle a variety of problems in the research laboratory. RAMAN SPECTROPHOTOMETER-Uses a unique optical system which gives high light-gathering power, high z e r o stability and freedom from effects of scattered light. Provides the advantages of raman spectroscopy with small samples, high speed and good accuracy. ELECTROMETERS—Vibrating reed instruments for measuring very small currents, charges and voltages. High sensitivity and accuracy, good stability and reliability. A-vailable for many applications — p H and carbon 14 determinations, mass spectrometry, etc. INFRARED ANALYZERS —For continuous analysis of flowing samples. Utilize selective detection and double beam optical system. Virtually free from zero drift. High inherent discrimination against interfering sample components. Unusual adaptability to difficult analytical problems requiring high sensitivity a n d accuracy in complex mixtures. ULTRAVIOLET ANALYZERS-Provide a simple, reliable means of continuously analyzing flowing samples for components which absorb U V or visible radiation, o r which can be converted to a suitable absorbing substance. For complete descriptions, including sample curves, of all of Cary instruments, torite for Bulletin CN-20.
80
C&EN
JAN.
2 1.
INSTRUMENTS
1957
APPLIED PHYSICS CORPORATION 362 West Colorado Street Pasadena 1, California
form. I t is said t o h a v e extraordinarily l o w dusting level reducing fire hazard encountered in h a n d l i n g of sulfurs; also it is easily d i s p e r s e d in rubber formulations. Stauffer is installing n e w facilities at its M o n o n g a h e l a , Pa., plant to manufacture the n e w oil-treated sulfur. C2 • Velsicol C h e m i c a l w i l l have technical methyl parathion available for t h e c o m i n g g r o w i n g season. C3 • Chas. tities of stances, b e r of
Pfizer is offering research q u a n the n e w g r o w t h regulatory subgibberellins, t o a limited n u m investigators. C 4
• Fisher Scientific is offering C a d m i u m Metal Sticks in a Fisher CertifiedR e a g e n t grade. T h e reagent has only 0 . 0 0 1 % iron, 0 . 0 0 5 % copper, 0 . 0 1 7 % lead, a n d 0 . 0 5 % zinc, c o m p a n y says. P r i c e - a b o u t $ 8 . 3 8 p e r lb. or $ 3 6 . 5 6 p e r 5 lb. C5 • Chlorofluorocarbon grease introd u c e d b y H a l o c a r b o n Products i s said to be pure b l e n d of low molecular w e i g h t polymers o f chlorotrifluoroethyle n e a n d to contain n o silica, s o a p , or other n o n h a l o g e n thickeners. Called Halocarbon Grease Scries 2 5 - 1 0 , it is said t o h a v e grease-like characteristics in a t e m p e r a t u r e range o f 3 0 ° to 2 7 5 ° F . ; above t h i s t o about 5 5 0 ° F., it has characteristics o f a clear oil with g o o d lubricating properties. Below 3 0 ° F . , it b e c o m e s v e r y h e a v y a n d at l o w t e m p e r a t u r e s is wax-like. Company says i t has b e e n field t e s t e d b y several oxygen plants as a lubricant for plug-cocks and h a s found a c c e p t a n c e where other materials failed b e c a u s e of c h e m i c a l reaction or insufficient thermal stability. C6 • Southwestern Analytical Chemicals is offering tetrarnethylammonium h y droxide ( T M H - 2 4 ) a s a 2 4 % solution in methanol. C o m b i n i n g h i g h alkalinity with ability to b e d e s t r o y e d b y heat t o leave no a s h , t h e c o m p o u n d m a y b e u s e d as a n alkaline catalyst, for precipitation o f alkali-free metal hydroxides, i n synthesis, a n d w h e r e v e r hydroxides are u s e d and ash or solubility is a problem, c o m p a n y suggests. T M H 2 4 is p a c k a g e d a n d s h i p p e d in 13-gal. p o l y e t h y l e n e carboys which contain 2 8 lb. ( 1 0 0 % b a s i s ) of tetrarnethylammonium hvdroxide. C7
Further useful i n f o r m a t i o n o n keyed C h e m i c a l items m e n t i o n e d is r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e . . . Use handy coupon on page 86
._!
