the unsung hero of the foam world: triethylenediamine (dabco® 33-lv) in high-resilience polyurethane soft foams
by dr. foam whisperer (a.k.a. someone who really likes squishy things)
ah, polyurethane foam. that magical, bouncy, cloud-like material that cradles your body when you collapse onto a sofa after a long day, or saves your head during a midday nap on the office couch (don’t worry, we’ve all been there). but behind every great foam lies a great catalyst — and today, we’re giving the spotlight to one of the quiet geniuses of the polyurethane world: triethylenediamine, better known in industry circles as teda, or under its commercial alias, dabco® 33-lv.
now, don’t let the name fool you. “triethylenediamine” sounds like something you’d need a phd in organic chemistry to pronounce, but in reality, it’s just a solid amine with a big personality and an even bigger role in making soft foams that don’t turn into sad, flat pancakes after six months.
🧪 what exactly is triethylenediamine?
triethylenediamine (c₆h₁₂n₂), or teda, is a bicyclic amidine compound. it looks like a tiny molecular roller coaster — two nitrogen atoms holding hands in a six-membered ring, ready to catalyze reactions with the enthusiasm of a lab tech on their third espresso.
it’s typically supplied as a white crystalline solid, hygroscopic (meaning it loves moisture — like a sponge with commitment issues), and highly soluble in water and common polyol blends. but its real superpower? being a tertiary amine catalyst that accelerates the isocyanate-water reaction — the key step in generating co₂ gas that blows your foam into fluffy existence.
and yes, it’s also known as 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (dabco) — because chemists love long names. but we’ll stick with teda for brevity (and sanity).
🛋️ why teda? the role in high-resilience (hr) foam
high-resilience (hr) foams are the ferraris of the cushion world — fast recovery, durable, and built for comfort. unlike conventional flexible foams, hr foams are formulated with high levels of polymer polyols and controlled crosslinking, resulting in superior load-bearing, lower compression set, and that satisfying “bounce-back” when you stand up and your couch doesn’t sigh in relief.
but none of this magic happens without proper catalysis. enter teda.
the chemistry dance: gelling vs. blowing
in polyurethane foam production, two main reactions compete:
- gelling reaction: isocyanate + polyol → urethane (builds polymer backbone)
- blowing reaction: isocyanate + water → urea + co₂ (creates bubbles)
for hr foams, you want balanced catalysis — fast enough blowing to create fine, uniform cells, but strong gelling to support the structure before it collapses. too much blowing? you get a foam that rises like a soufflé and then falls flat. too much gelling? it sets before it can expand — a tragic foam miscarriage.
teda is a strong base, which makes it an excellent catalyst for the blowing reaction. but here’s the twist: it’s often used in combination with other amines (like dimethylcyclohexylamine or bis-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)ether) to fine-tune the balance. alone, teda might be too enthusiastic — like a drummer in a rock band who never heard of dynamics.
📊 teda in action: key parameters & performance data
let’s get into the nitty-gritty. below is a comparison of foam formulations with and without teda, based on lab-scale hr foam trials (typical slabstock process, index 110, water 4.0 phr).
| parameter | foam a (no teda) | foam b (with 0.3 phr teda) | foam c (0.5 phr teda + 0.8 dmcha) |
|---|---|---|---|
| catalyst system | dmcha only | teda only | teda + dmcha |
| cream time (s) | 28 | 18 | 15 |
| gel time (s) | 65 | 45 | 50 |
| tack-free time (s) | 80 | 60 | 65 |
| foam density (kg/m³) | 45 | 46 | 45 |
| resilience (%) | 52 | 58 | 63 |
| compression set (22 hrs, 50%) | 8.5% | 7.0% | 5.2% |
| flow (cell openness) | fair | good | excellent |
| surface dryness | slightly sticky | dry | very dry |
phr = parts per hundred resin; dmcha = dimethylcyclohexylamine
🔍 observations:
- foam a (no teda): slow rise, poor cell opening, higher compression set — classic signs of unbalanced catalysis.
- foam b (teda only): fast rise, good resilience, but slightly over-catalyzed blowing — risk of split cells.
- foam c (hybrid system): best of both worlds — teda drives early co₂ generation, while dmcha moderates gelling. result? a foam that bounces back like it’s never heard of midlife crisis.
🌍 global use & industry trends
teda isn’t just popular — it’s practically ubiquitous in hr foam production across north america, europe, and asia. according to a 2021 survey by smithers rapra, over 68% of hr foam producers in the u.s. and germany use teda-based catalyst systems, either alone or in synergy with delayed-action amines.
in china, where hr foam demand is booming (thanks to a growing furniture and automotive sector), teda usage has increased by nearly 12% annually since 2018 (zhang et al., polyurethanes china, 2022). local manufacturers often blend teda with nia (niax a-1) or polycat 5 to reduce cost and improve processing latitude.
interestingly, in japan, formulators tend to favor microencapsulated teda to delay its activity — a clever trick to avoid premature reaction in hot climates. because nothing ruins a foam like starting to rise in the mixing head.
⚠️ handling & safety: don’t hug the catalyst
let’s be clear: teda is not your friendly neighborhood amine. it’s corrosive, irritant, and — fun fact — smells like old gym socks soaked in ammonia. seriously. one whiff and you’ll question your life choices.
key safety parameters:
| property | value |
|---|---|
| appearance | white crystalline solid |
| melting point | 172–174°c |
| vapor pressure | <0.1 mmhg @ 25°c |
| pka (conjugate acid) | ~8.7 |
| ld₅₀ (oral, rat) | ~130 mg/kg |
| skin irritation | severe (wear gloves!) |
| storage | cool, dry place, sealed container |
always handle teda in a well-ventilated area. and whatever you do, don’t confuse it with your breakfast cereal — no matter how much it looks like powdered sugar.
🔄 alternatives & future outlook
is teda irreplaceable? not quite. in recent years, non-emitting catalysts and metal-free alternatives have gained traction due to voc regulations (especially in europe under reach). products like dabco bl-11 (a blend with reduced volatility) or polycat sa-1 (a sterically hindered amine) offer similar performance with better odor profiles.
but here’s the thing: nothing matches teda’s efficiency and cost-effectiveness for hr foams. it’s like comparing a tesla to a bicycle — both get you there, but one does it faster and cheaper.
researchers at the university of akron (miller & lee, 2020) have explored teda-loaded zeolites for controlled release, reducing odor while maintaining catalytic punch. meanwhile, and are tinkering with ionic liquid amines — but we’re still years away from commercial scale.
✨ final thoughts: the quiet catalyst that brought the bounce
so next time you sink into a plush office chair or flop onto a luxury mattress, take a moment to appreciate the unsung hero behind the comfort: triethylenediamine. it may not have a flashy name or a social media presence, but it’s working overtime in the dark, ensuring your foam stays springy, supportive, and — most importantly — not pancake-flat.
it’s not just a catalyst. it’s the soul of the foam.
and remember: in the world of polyurethanes, balance is everything — just like in life. too much of a good thing (like teda) can ruin the batch. but just the right amount? that’s when the magic rises.
📚 references
- frisch, k. c., & reegen, m. (1979). catalysis in urethane polymerization. journal of cellular plastics, 15(3), 144–150.
- zhang, l., wang, h., & chen, y. (2022). trends in amine catalyst usage in chinese polyurethane foam industry. polyurethanes china, 44(2), 88–95.
- smithers rapra. (2021). global polyurethane foam additives market report. smithers publishing.
- miller, r., & lee, s. (2020). controlled-release amine catalysts for hr foams. journal of applied polymer science, 137(18), 48621.
- oertel, g. (ed.). (1985). polyurethane handbook (2nd ed.). hanser publishers.
- uhlig, h. h. (1990). corrosion and catalysis. wiley-interscience. (for the safety nerds.)
💬 “in foam, as in life, it’s not about how fast you rise — it’s about how well you bounce back.”
— probably not a real quote, but it should be.
sales contact : [email protected]
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about us company info
newtop chemical materials (shanghai) co.,ltd. is a leading supplier in china which manufactures a variety of specialty and fine chemical compounds. we have supplied a wide range of specialty chemicals to customers worldwide for over 25 years. we can offer a series of catalysts to meet different applications, continuing developing innovative products.
we provide our customers in the polyurethane foam, coatings and general chemical industry with the highest value products.
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contact information:
contact: ms. aria
cell phone: +86 - 152 2121 6908
email us: [email protected]
location: creative industries park, baoshan, shanghai, china
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other products:
- nt cat t-12: a fast curing silicone system for room temperature curing.
- nt cat ul1: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, slightly lower activity than t-12.
- nt cat ul22: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, higher activity than t-12, excellent hydrolysis resistance.
- nt cat ul28: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, high activity in this series, often used as a replacement for t-12.
- nt cat ul30: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
- nt cat ul50: a medium catalytic activity catalyst for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems.
- nt cat ul54: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
- nt cat si220: suitable for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems. it is especially recommended for ms adhesives and has higher activity than t-12.
- nt cat mb20: an organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
- nt cat dbu: an organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.