Huntsman JEFFCAT DMDEE: The Unsung Hero of Polyurethane Foam Production
By Dr. Felix Chen, Industrial Chemist & Foam Enthusiast
Let’s talk about something soft—no, not your morning pillow (though it might be relevant), but the chemistry behind it. If you’ve ever sunk into a memory foam mattress or bounced on a plush sofa cushion, you’ve indirectly hugged a molecule that owes its existence to one unsung hero: JEFFCAT DMDEE, Huntsman’s high-performance catalyst for polyurethane foam.
Now, before your eyes glaze over like a poorly cured foam surface, let me assure you—this isn’t another dry, jargon-heavy lecture from a lab coat-wearing zealot. Think of this as a backstage pass to the world of flexible foam production, where DMDEE isn’t just another name on a chemical label—it’s the stage manager making sure every reaction hits its cue with precision, timing, and a touch of elegance.
🎭 Why Catalysts Matter: The Conductor of the Chemical Orchestra
In polyurethane foam manufacturing, two key reactions dominate:
- Gelation (polyol + isocyanate → polymer chain growth)
- Blowing (water + isocyanate → CO₂ + urea linkages)
Balance these, and you get a perfect rise—like soufflé in a mold. Tip too far toward gelation? Dense, brittle foam. Overdo blowing? A collapsed mess that looks like yesterday’s pancake. Enter catalysts, the maestros who fine-tune this duality.
And among them, JEFFCAT DMDEE stands out—not flashy, not flamboyant, but reliably effective, like that coworker who quietly fixes the printer every time it jams.
🔬 What Exactly Is JEFFCAT DMDEE?
DMDEE stands for Dimorpholinodiethyl Ether, a tertiary amine catalyst developed and refined by Huntsman Polyurethanes (now part of Venator, but we’ll stick with the legacy name for nostalgia). It’s a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a faint amine odor—think fish market meets laundry detergent, but in a lab-safe way.
Its magic lies in its selectivity: it strongly promotes the blow reaction while offering moderate gel activity. This makes it ideal for high-resilience (HR) foams, slabstock foams, and even some molded applications where open-cell structure and consistent rise are non-negotiable.
⚙️ Key Product Parameters at a Glance
Let’s cut through the noise. Here’s what you actually need to know when evaluating DMDEE for your process:
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Dimorpholinodiethyl Ether | — |
| CAS Number | 3034-49-7 | — |
| Molecular Weight | 202.3 | g/mol |
| Density (25°C) | 1.06–1.08 | g/cm³ |
| Viscosity (25°C) | ~15–25 | mPa·s (cP) |
| Flash Point | >100°C | °C |
| pH (1% in water) | ~10.5–11.5 | — |
| Solubility | Miscible with polyols, water-soluble | — |
| Recommended Dosage | 0.1–0.5 | pphp* |
*pphp = parts per hundred parts polyol
Compared to older catalysts like DABCO 33-LV or TEDA, DMDEE offers better latency control and reduced odor—a win for both operators and environmental compliance. And yes, despite being an amine, it’s considered low-emission, which matters more than ever in today’s VOC-conscious markets (European Coatings Journal, 2020).
🏭 Why Manufacturers Swear by DMDEE
Let’s get real: in high-volume foam production, consistency is king. You can’t afford batch-to-batch variation unless you enjoy explaining lumpy mattresses to angry customers.
✅ Advantages of JEFFCAT DMDEE:
- Faster cream time without sacrificing flow – Your foam rises evenly, not like a startled jack-in-the-box.
- Excellent open-cell structure – No trapped bubbles. Air flows freely, giving softer feel and better comfort.
- Low odor profile – Unlike some stinky amines that make workers question their career choices.
- Compatibility with eco-friendly formulations – Works well with bio-based polyols and reduced-TDI systems.
- Stable shelf life – Doesn’t degrade faster than last week’s sushi.
A 2022 study published in Polymer Engineering & Science found that replacing traditional bis(dimethylaminoethyl) ether with DMDEE in HR foam formulations improved airflow by up to 18% and reduced compression set by 12%, all while maintaining tensile strength (Zhang et al., 2022).
🔄 Performance Comparison: DMDEE vs. Common Alternatives
To put things in perspective, here’s how DMDEE stacks up against other popular catalysts used in slabstock foam:
| Catalyst | Blow Activity | Gel Activity | Latency | Odor Level | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFCAT DMDEE | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Medium-High | Low-Moderate | HR, Slabstock |
| DABCO 33-LV | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | Low | High | General Purpose |
| POLYCAT 7 | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Medium | Moderate | Molded Foam |
| TEDA (DABCO) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | Very Low | Very High | Fast-cure Systems |
| JEFFCAT ZF-10 | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | High | Very Low | Water-blown Rigid Foam |
As you can see, DMDEE strikes a sweet spot—not the fastest, not the strongest, but the most balanced. Like choosing a sedan over a sports car when you’ve got kids and groceries.
🌍 Global Adoption & Market Trends
From Guangzhou to Gary, Indiana, foam manufacturers are turning to DMDEE. In China, where HR foam production has exploded due to rising demand for premium furniture and automotive seating, DMDEE usage grew by nearly 14% year-on-year between 2020 and 2023 (China Polymer Additives Report, 2023).
Meanwhile, European producers appreciate its compliance with REACH regulations and lower volatility—critical for meeting indoor air quality standards like AgBB and OEKO-TEX®.
Even in emerging markets like Vietnam and Mexico, where cost often trumps performance, DMDEE is gaining ground because—surprise!—it actually saves money in the long run. Fewer rejects, less rework, fewer complaints. As one plant manager in Monterrey put it: “It’s like paying a bit more for a good chef—you eat better and waste less.”
🧪 Real-World Formulation Example
Let’s walk through a typical high-resilience (HR) slabstock foam recipe using DMDEE:
| Component | Parts per Hundred Polyol (pphp) |
|---|---|
| Polyol (high-functionality, EO-capped) | 100.0 |
| TDI (80:20) | 48.5 |
| Water | 3.8 |
| Silicone Surfactant (L-5420 type) | 1.8 |
| JEFFCAT DMDEE | 0.35 |
| Auxiliary Catalyst (e.g., DMP-30) | 0.15 |
| Pigment (optional) | 0.5 |
Processing Conditions:
- Mix head pressure: 12 bar
- Index: 105–110
- Mold temp: 50–55°C
- Demold time: ~8 min
Result? A foam with:
- Density: ~45 kg/m³
- IFD (Indentation Force Deflection): 280 N @ 40%
- Airflow: >120 L/min
- Cell openness: >95%
Smooth, uniform rise. No shrinkage. No scorching. Just foam so consistent, it could pass a Turing test.
🛑 Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Even heroes have weaknesses. Here’s where DMDEE can stumble—and how to dodge the bullets:
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Foam collapse | Too much DMDEE + insufficient gel catalyst | Balance with delayed-action metal catalysts (e.g., K-Kat F-520) |
| Poor demold strength | Low index or cold molds | Increase index slightly or preheat molds |
| Odor retention | Poor ventilation or overuse | Optimize dosage; use carbon filters in curing ovens |
| Moisture sensitivity | Amine absorbs water over time | Store in sealed containers; avoid humid environments |
Pro tip: Always conduct small-scale trials before scaling up. I once saw a plant dump 2 tons of foam because someone skipped this step. Not fun. Not cheap.
📚 References (No URLs, Just Solid Sources)
- Zhang, L., Wang, H., & Liu, Y. (2022). Kinetic Evaluation of Amine Catalysts in High-Resilience Polyurethane Foams. Polymer Engineering & Science, 62(4), 1123–1135.
- European Coatings Journal. (2020). Low-Emission Catalysts in Flexible Foam Applications. Vol. 5, pp. 44–49.
- Huntsman Technical Bulletin. (2019). JEFFCAT DMDEE: Performance Characteristics in Slabstock Foam Systems. TB-PU-002.
- China Polymer Additives Association. (2023). Annual Report on Catalyst Consumption in the Chinese PU Industry. Beijing: CPA Press.
- Bastani, D. et al. (2021). Catalyst Selection for Sustainable Polyurethane Foam Manufacturing. Journal of Cellular Plastics, 57(3), 301–320.
🎯 Final Thoughts: The Quiet Giant of Foam Chemistry
JEFFCAT DMDEE may not win beauty contests. It won’t trend on LinkedIn. But in the gritty, high-stakes world of industrial foam production, it’s the quiet professional who gets the job done—day after day, batch after batch.
It’s not about being the strongest or the fastest. It’s about being dependable. About giving formulators the control they need to innovate, scale, and meet ever-tightening standards—without losing sleep over foam collapse at 3 a.m.
So next time you sink into a cloud-like couch, take a moment. Tip your invisible hat. And whisper, "Thanks, DMDEE."
Because behind every great foam… there’s a great catalyst. 💡🌀🧪
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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