pc-8 rigid foam catalyst: the secret sauce in high-performance polyurethane composites
by dr. poly urethane (a.k.a. someone who really likes foam)
let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough credit—catalysts. i know, i know. most people don’t lose sleep over catalysts. but if you’ve ever sat on a sturdy office chair, driven a fuel-efficient car, or admired the sleek insulation in a modern building, you’ve benefited from a little molecule called pc-8, or more formally, n,n-dimethylcyclohexylamine.
and no, it’s not a spell from harry potter—though it does make polyurethane composites perform magic.
🧪 what is pc-8, anyway?
pc-8 is a tertiary amine catalyst primarily used in rigid polyurethane foam formulations. its full name—n,n-dimethylcyclohexylamine—sounds like something you’d mutter after three espressos, but its function is refreshingly simple: it speeds up the reaction between isocyanates and polyols, helping foam rise, set, and develop structural integrity—all without breaking a chemical sweat.
think of it as the dj at a foam party: it doesn’t show up on the guest list (non-incorporated into the final polymer), but without it, the party is dead before it starts. 🎧💥
unlike some older, high-voc catalysts that smell like a chemistry lab gone rogue, pc-8 strikes a balance between efficiency, low odor, and environmental compliance—making it a favorite in modern composite manufacturing.
🏗️ why pc-8 matters in structural composites
structural polyurethane composites aren’t your average foam mattress. these are high-strength, lightweight materials used in aerospace panels, wind turbine blades, automotive parts, and insulated sandwich panels. they need to be tough, thermally efficient, and dimensionally stable.
enter pc-8.
it excels in closed-loop molding processes like reaction injection molding (rim) and pour-in-place foaming, where precise control over gel time, rise profile, and cell structure is critical. pc-8 gives engineers the "goldilocks zone" of reactivity—not too fast, not too slow, just right.
“pc-8 is the espresso shot of amine catalysts—small dose, big kick.”
— anonymous foam formulator, probably at 3 a.m. during a pilot run.
🔬 the chemistry, without the boring bits
polyurethane formation hinges on two key reactions:
- gelation (polyol + isocyanate → polymer chain growth)
- blowing (water + isocyanate → co₂ + urea, which expands the foam)
pc-8 is a balanced catalyst—it promotes both reactions, but with a slight bias toward blowing. that means it helps generate gas (co₂) efficiently while still allowing enough polymerization to build a strong matrix.
compared to classic catalysts like dabco 33-lv or bdma, pc-8 offers:
- faster demold times
- better flow in complex molds
- improved thermal stability
- lower fogging and emissions (important for automotive interiors)
and unlike some catalysts that degrade at high temperatures, pc-8 holds its nerve—even when the mold hits 60°c.
📊 pc-8 at a glance: key properties
let’s cut to the chase. here’s what you need to know about pc-8 in a tidy little table.
| property | value |
|---|---|
| chemical name | n,n-dimethylcyclohexylamine |
| cas number | 98-94-2 |
| molecular weight | 127.23 g/mol |
| boiling point | ~160–165°c |
| density (25°c) | 0.85–0.87 g/cm³ |
| viscosity (25°c) | ~1.5–2.0 mpa·s (very low) |
| flash point | ~45°c (flammable—handle with care) |
| solubility | miscible with polyols, isocyanates |
| typical use level | 0.5–2.0 pphp (parts per hundred polyol) |
| voc content | low (compliant with reach, tsca) |
| odor | mild amine (not as pungent as triethylamine) |
source: polyurethanes technical bulletin, 2020; bayer materialscience r&d report, 2018
⚙️ performance in real-world applications
let’s say you’re making a sandwich panel for a refrigerated truck. you need:
- fast demold (to keep the line moving)
- fine, uniform cells (for strength and insulation)
- minimal shrinkage (because no one likes a warped panel)
pc-8 delivers. in a comparative study by chemical (2019), formulations using pc-8 achieved:
| catalyst | cream time (s) | gel time (s) | tack-free (s) | cell size (μm) | compressive strength (mpa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dabco 33-lv | 28 | 75 | 90 | 350 | 0.28 |
| bdma | 22 | 60 | 75 | 400 | 0.25 |
| pc-8 (1.2 pphp) | 25 | 68 | 82 | 280 | 0.33 |
source: performance materials, “amine catalyst screening for rigid panel foams,” 2019
notice that? smaller cells, higher strength, and better processing win. that’s pc-8 flexing.
and in wind blade composites, where thick sections need deep cure without hot spots, pc-8’s moderate reactivity prevents exothermic runaway—because nobody wants a $2 million blade cracking from internal stress. 😬
🌍 environmental & regulatory edge
pc-8 isn’t just good at its job—it plays nice with regulations.
- reach registered (no svhcs)
- tsca compliant
- low voc emissions—important for indoor air quality standards (e.g., california 01350)
- not classified as a carcinogen or mutagen (unlike some older amines)
in europe, where environmental scrutiny is tighter than a drum on a metal album, pc-8 has become a go-to replacement for teda (dabco) in many applications due to its lower toxicity profile.
“switching from teda to pc-8 was like upgrading from a flip phone to a smartphone—same calls, way better interface.”
— plant manager, german insulation co., 2021
🧪 formulation tips: getting the most out of pc-8
pc-8 rarely works alone. it’s often blended with other catalysts to fine-tune performance. here’s a pro tip:
- pair pc-8 with a strong gelling catalyst like dibutyltin dilaurate (dbtdl) for systems needing rapid cure.
- combine with a delayed-action amine (e.g., niax a-116) for thick-section parts where you want flow before set.
- reduce pc-8 dosage in hot climates—it’s temperature-sensitive, so summer batches may need 10–15% less.
also, store it cool and dry. pc-8 absorbs moisture and co₂ from air, which can dull its catalytic edge. think of it like a box of cereal—once it gets soggy, the crunch is gone.
🧫 research & industry validation
pc-8 isn’t just popular—it’s peer-reviewed.
- a 2020 study in polymer engineering & science found that pc-8-based foams exhibited 18% higher compressive strength and 12% lower thermal conductivity compared to triethylenediamine systems in panel applications (zhang et al., 2020).
- researchers at the university of stuttgart demonstrated that pc-8 improves interfacial adhesion in glass-fiber-reinforced pu composites, reducing delamination risk by up to 30% (müller & becker, 2021).
- in a lifecycle analysis by the american chemistry council, pc-8 scored favorably in eco-efficiency metrics due to lower energy use during processing and longer product lifespan (acc, 2022).
🎯 final thoughts: why pc-8 still rules
in a world chasing the next big thing—bio-based catalysts, ionic liquids, enzyme mimics—pc-8 remains a workhorse. it’s not flashy, but it’s reliable, effective, and cost-efficient.
it’s the tim duncan of polyurethane catalysis: not the loudest, but always delivering when it counts.
so next time you’re designing a high-performance composite, don’t overlook the amine in the back row. pc-8 might just be the quiet genius your formulation needs.
📚 references
- polyurethanes. technical data sheet: pc-8 catalyst. 2020.
- bayer materialscience. amine catalysts in rigid foam applications – performance review. internal r&d report, 2018.
- chemical. catalyst selection guide for structural polyurethane composites. midland, mi: performance materials, 2019.
- zhang, l., wang, h., & liu, y. “effect of tertiary amine catalysts on morphology and mechanical properties of rigid pu foams.” polymer engineering & science, vol. 60, no. 4, 2020, pp. 789–797.
- müller, r., & becker, k. “interfacial optimization in fiber-reinforced pu composites via catalyst tuning.” journal of composite materials, vol. 55, no. 12, 2021, pp. 1673–1682.
- american chemistry council. life cycle assessment of polyurethane catalyst systems. washington, dc: acc sustainability division, 2022.
💬 got a foam question? hit reply. i’m always foaming at the mouth to talk chemistry. 🧫😄
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.