1. Why is DDI more environmentally friendly?
· Reduced VOC Emissions: The application of DDI produces relatively few volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds are often the main pollutants in many coatings and adhesives, which can negatively impact the environment and human health. The lower VOC emissions make DDI more advantageous from an environmental perspective.
· Lower Toxicity: Compared to some traditional isocyanates (such as toluene diisocyanate and MDI), DDI has lower toxicity. At certain concentrations, it poses relatively less risk to human health, making it safer to use and handle.
· Recyclability: Because DDI does not rely on non-renewable resources like petroleum, polyurethane materials based on DDI can, in some cases, be recycled and reused, reducing waste generation and helping to minimize environmental impact.
2. What are the advantages of DDI compared to HDI and MDI?
· Low VOC Emissions: DDI generates relatively low VOCs during its applications, reducing potential harm to the environment and human health. In contrast, HDI and MDI applications may be associated with higher VOC emissions.
· Lower Toxicity: DDI’s toxicity is lower compared to HDI and MDI, especially in long-term exposure and high-concentration environments. This makes DDI more attractive for applications that require high safety standards.
· Excellent Abrasion and Chemical Resistance: Polyurethane materials produced with DDI exhibit outstanding abrasion and chemical resistance, making them suitable for high-performance industrial applications. While HDI and MDI can also provide good performance, DDI may outperform them in certain specific applications.
· Good Elasticity and Flexibility: Polyurethane materials based on DDI typically possess better elasticity and flexibility, making them suitable for applications requiring high elasticity, such as elastomers and coatings. This results in outstanding performance in fields like sports equipment and flooring materials.
· Superior Fluidity: DDI demonstrates good fluidity during processing, making it easier to use in injection molding, coating, and other processes, which is advantageous for forming complex shapes.
· Renewable Raw Material Sources: The raw materials for dimer acid typically come from plant oils, providing better sustainability. Compared to petroleum-based HDI and MDI, DDI has a stronger sustainable profile, aligning with modern environmental and sustainable development requirements.
· Wide Application Range: DDI can be used in various fields such as coatings, adhesives, and elastomers, particularly excelling in high-performance applications (e.g., high-abrasion flooring and automotive interiors) where its performance may surpass that of products made from HDI and MDI.
3. DDI in Solid Rocket Propellant Applications
· Enhanced Structural Integrity: DDI can serve as a binder between various components (such as fuel, oxidizers, and additives) in solid propellant, enhancing the overall structural stability of the propellant and ensuring reliability under extreme conditions.
· Improved Mechanical Properties: Using DDI as a component in polyurethane substrates can significantly improve the mechanical strength and toughness of the propellant, which is crucial for withstanding the high stresses during launch and flight.
· High-Temperature Stability: The polyurethane materials formed with DDI possess good thermal stability, allowing them to withstand high-temperature environments without decomposing or losing performance during rocket engine operation.
· Oxidative Corrosion Resistance: In rocket propellants, polyurethane materials formed with DDI demonstrate good chemical stability, resisting corrosive effects from oxidizers in the propellant, thereby extending the storage and operational life of the propellant.
· Processability: During the production of propellants, the excellent fluidity of DDI-based polyurethanes makes mixing and forming processes easier, enabling the manufacture of complex shapes.
· Adaptability to Extreme Conditions: The application of DDI in rocket propellants requires materials to maintain stability under high temperatures while also exhibiting excellent performance in low-temperature environments, making DDI-based propellants suitable for various space missions.
· Formula Flexibility: The use of DDI allows for the adjustment of propellant formulations according to specific performance requirements, facilitating the design of high-performance propellants.
· Low VOC Emissions: Although the environmental impact of rocket propellants is complex, DDI, as a relatively low volatile organic compound component, helps improve the environmental performance of the propellant.
