Cardolite offers hydroxyl functional CNSL-based diluents for polyurethane applications. These diluents provide similar benefits to other CNSL-based materials such as high hydrophobicity and increased flexibility. The hydrophobicity results in lower moisture and water sensitivity during cure and the lifetime of the polyurethane. These materials are also high in bio-content and help lower viscosity and VOC of the final system. They are suitable for use in various polyurethane formulations such as coatings, adhesives, and foams.
Cardolite’s line of hydroxyl functional polyurethane diluents are an effective way to reduce viscosity without the use of solvents.
The NX-202X line represents various cardanol grades suitable for use as diluents in various systems that include epoxy and polyurethane chemistries. NX-2024 and NX-2025 are low odor, standard grades with different initial colors. NX-2026 is our highest purity, lighter color grade (Gardner <1). Another good option is Ultra LITE 2020, a monofunctional ethoxylated cardanol. The graphs below show the dilution efficiency of some of our materials. In addition, Cardolite offers a line of ethoxylated cardanol materials that can be used as surfactants in polyurethane systems and may help lower viscosity as well.
As an example, the performance of some of our diluents was evaluated in a rigid polyurethane formulation in comparison to commonly used raw materials. Results displayed below indicate our biorenewable diluents did not hurt performance and gave comparable results to existing alternatives. No significant difference in FRD was observed. Systems showed good mechanical properties and thermal properties (Tg). Fire resistance was also retained as these diluents contribute to aromaticity. In the case of cardanol, lower weight change after water immersion was measured, which is likely due to the long aliphatic chain in cardanol.
Moreover, Cardolite offers a broad line of polyols and diols based on renewable technologies for polyurethane foams. Our polyurethane line includes polyols with a wide range of functionality and varied chemistries in their backbone such as Mannich, polyester, polyether and novolac.
