🔍 the versatility of wannate ht-100 hdi trimer in both spray and dipping applications
by a chemist who’s seen a lot of isocyanates (and still likes them)
let’s talk about polyurethanes — not the kind that makes your mattress suspiciously bouncy, but the serious industrial stuff. the kind that sticks, protects, and performs under pressure. and when it comes to top-tier aliphatic polyisocyanates, one name keeps showing up in lab notebooks and production logs: wannate ht-100 hdi trimer.
now, if you’re new to the world of isocyanates, hdi stands for hexamethylene diisocyanate — a fancy way of saying “six-carbon chain with two reactive -nco groups at the ends.” but ht-100 isn’t just raw hdi. oh no. it’s been through the wringer — or rather, the reactor — to form a trimer, a stable, cyclic structure that’s like the swiss army knife of crosslinkers.
🎯 why ht-100? because it plays well with others — and with machines
what makes wannate ht-100 stand out isn’t just its chemistry — it’s its versatility. whether you’re spraying it like a graffiti artist or dipping parts like they’re going into a chocolate fondue (minus the calories), this trimer holds up. let’s break it n — no pun intended.
🧪 chemical profile: the dna of ht-100
before we dive into applications, let’s get intimate with the specs. think of this as the “dating profile” of wannate ht-100:
| property | value | notes |
|---|---|---|
| chemical type | hdi aliphatic polyisocyanate trimer | uv-stable, colorless, low volatility |
| nco content (%) | ~22.5% | high enough for reactivity, low enough for handling |
| viscosity (25°c, mpa·s) | 1,800–2,500 | thicker than water, thinner than peanut butter |
| density (g/cm³) | ~1.05 | slightly heavier than water |
| functionality | ~3.0 | each molecule has ~3 reactive sites — great for network formation |
| solubility | soluble in common solvents (e.g., acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene) | not a fan of water — keeps its distance 💧 |
| stability | stable at room temperature; moisture-sensitive | store it dry, or it’ll turn into a gel — like a sad science experiment |
source: chemical group, product datasheet wannate® ht-100 (2023)
now, that nco content? it’s the heart of the matter. the isocyanate (-nco) groups are like molecular handshakes — they bond with hydroxyl (-oh) groups in polyols to form urethane linkages. that’s how you get tough, flexible, durable coatings.
and because it’s aliphatic, ht-100 doesn’t turn yellow in sunlight. unlike its aromatic cousins (looking at you, tdi), it’s the kind of isocyanate that ages gracefully — perfect for outdoor coatings, automotive clearcoats, and anything that sees uv light.
🎨 spray application: when precision meets performance
spray coating is where ht-100 truly shines — like a well-polished car hood under showroom lights. whether you’re using airless, air-assisted, or hvlp (high-volume low-pressure) systems, ht-100 flows smoothly and cures into a film that’s both hard and flexible.
why does it work so well in sprays?
- controlled viscosity: at 1,800–2,500 mpa·s, it’s thick enough to carry pigments but thin enough to atomize. no clogging, no sputtering.
- low volatility: compared to monomeric hdi, the trimer evaporates slowly. that means less inhalation risk and fewer voc headaches — a win for both workers and regulators.
- fast cure, low temp: with the right polyol (like a polyester or acrylic polyol), ht-100 can cure at room temperature or be accelerated with heat. in automotive refinish, that’s gold.
🔧 typical spray formulation example:
| component | percentage (wt%) | role |
|---|---|---|
| acrylic polyol (oh # 110) | 60% | resin backbone |
| wannate ht-100 | 30% | crosslinker |
| solvent (xylene/ethyl acetate) | 8% | adjust viscosity |
| additives (flow, defoamer) | 2% | smooth operator 🧼 |
| total | 100% | ready to spray |
based on industrial formulations from zhang et al., progress in organic coatings, 2021
spray applications benefit from ht-100’s ability to form a dense, crosslinked network. the trimer structure packs tightly, leading to excellent chemical resistance — think gasoline, brake fluid, or that questionable soda your coworker spilled on the dashboard.
🛁 dipping: the unsung hero of immersion coating
now, let’s talk about dipping — the quiet cousin of spraying. less flashy, but equally important. dipping is used for everything from wire coatings to small metal parts, gaskets, even some medical devices.
ht-100? it’s a dunking champion.
when you dip a part into a coating bath containing ht-100 and a polyol, the solution clings like it’s auditioning for a spider-man movie. as the solvent evaporates, the -nco and -oh groups start dancing, forming a uniform, pinhole-free film.
💡 why ht-100 excels in dipping:
- stable bath life: unlike some isocyanates that gel overnight, ht-100-based solutions can last days in a sealed tank — especially with moisture scavengers like molecular sieves.
- uniform film build: the viscosity helps control drainage. too thin? runs like a melted ice cream cone. too thick? looks like cake frosting. ht-100 hits the sweet spot.
- excellent adhesion: bonds well to metals, plastics, and even some rubbers. it doesn’t just sit on the surface — it grips.
📊 dipping process parameters:
| parameter | recommended range | tip |
|---|---|---|
| dip speed | 10–30 cm/min | slow and steady wins the race 🐢 |
| withdrawal speed | 5–15 cm/min | let it drain, don’t rush it |
| cure temperature | 80–120°c | 1 hour is usually enough |
| film thickness (wet) | 50–100 μm | depends on viscosity and withdrawal |
| pot life | 3–5 days (with drying agents) | label your bucket — trust me |
adapted from liu & wang, journal of coatings technology and research, 2020
one real-world example? a chinese manufacturer of automotive suspension components uses ht-100 in a dipping line to apply a protective primer. the result? a coating that survives salt spray tests for over 1,000 hours — that’s more endurance than most gym memberships.
🌍 global use & literature support
ht-100 isn’t just popular in china (where is based) — it’s gained traction worldwide. european and north american formulators are increasingly turning to hdi trimers as they phase out higher-voc and less stable alternatives.
a 2022 study in progress in organic coatings compared hdi trimers with ipdi (isophorone diisocyanate) and found that hdi-based systems offered superior gloss retention and flexibility — especially in exterior applications (schmidt et al., 2022).
meanwhile, japanese researchers noted that hdi trimers like ht-100 exhibit lower yellowing index values after 500 hours of quv testing — a big deal for architectural coatings and consumer electronics (tanaka et al., polymer degradation and stability, 2021).
even in high-humidity environments (looking at you, southeast asia), ht-100 formulations with proper packaging and inhibitors perform reliably — though you still shouldn’t leave the can open overnight. moisture is its kryptonite.
⚠️ handling & safety: don’t get too friendly
let’s be real — isocyanates aren’t exactly cuddly. ht-100 is less volatile than monomeric hdi, but it’s still an isocyanate. that means:
- wear gloves. nitrile, not cotton. cotton absorbs it and then hugs your skin — bad news.
- use ventilation. fume hoods aren’t just for dramatic lab entrances.
- monitor for sensitization. some people develop asthma-like symptoms after repeated exposure. not fun.
and for the love of chemistry, keep it dry. a little moisture turns ht-100 into a gel faster than you can say “oops.”
✅ final thoughts: the swiss army knife of crosslinkers
wannate ht-100 hdi trimer isn’t just another chemical on the shelf. it’s a workhorse — equally at home in a high-speed spray booth or a slow, deliberate dip tank. it gives formulators flexibility, durability, and peace of mind (as long as you respect the safety data sheet).
whether you’re coating a car, a coil, or a tiny sensor, ht-100 adapts. it’s like the james bond of isocyanates — smooth, reliable, and always mission-ready.
so next time you see a glossy, scratch-resistant surface that’s also uv-stable and chemically tough — chances are, ht-100 was in the mix.
and if you’re still using older, yellower, less efficient crosslinkers… well, maybe it’s time for an upgrade. 🛠️
📚 references
- chemical group. wannate® ht-100 product datasheet. version 3.1, 2023.
- zhang, l., chen, y., & zhou, m. "formulation and performance of hdi-based polyurethane coatings for automotive applications." progress in organic coatings, vol. 156, 2021, p. 106288.
- liu, h., & wang, j. "dip-coating of metal components using aliphatic polyisocyanates: process optimization and film properties." journal of coatings technology and research, vol. 17, no. 4, 2020, pp. 945–954.
- schmidt, r., becker, t., & müller, k. "comparative study of hdi and ipdi trimers in exterior coating systems." progress in organic coatings, vol. 168, 2022, p. 106833.
- tanaka, s., ito, h., & yamada, t. "uv stability of aliphatic polyurethanes: accelerated weathering of hdi-based films." polymer degradation and stability, vol. 183, 2021, p. 109421.
—
no robots were harmed in the making of this article. just a few beakers, and maybe a spilled solvent or two. 🧪
sales contact : [email protected]
=======================================================================
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.
=======================================================================
contact information:
contact: ms. aria
cell phone: +86 - 152 2121 6908
email us: [email protected]
location: creative industries park, baoshan, shanghai, china
=======================================================================
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.