Applications of Trimethylolpropane (TMP) Products
TMP can be used to produce polyesters, polyurethane foams, and elastomers. Urethane synthesized from TMP, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and 1,3-butanediol features high hardness, good elasticity, and wear resistance. High-resilience, high-load molded products made from this material are used for seat cushions and backrests in aircraft, automobiles, and trains. Integral skin molded products are applied in automotive steering wheels, instrument panels, and armrests. Integral skin microcellular products serve as shoe soles and automotive front/rear bumpers. Polyether polyols with free hydroxyl groups, formed by reacting TMP with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, are key raw materials for soft polyurethane foam plastics. Polyesters synthesized from TMP and glycerol maleate exhibit weather resistance, flexibility, and reduced self-staining properties, making them widely used as substitutes for building materials and leather industry materials.
TMP is applicable for plasticizer production. In the presence of non-acidic catalysts, TMP reacts with monobasic aromatic acids or C5-C9 fatty acids to form composite esters, which are excellent plasticizers. Polymers containing these esters show superior high-temperature resistance, hydrolysis resistance, and acid-alkali resistance, and have good compatibility with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC plastics with this plasticizer maintain excellent electrical insulation even in wet environments. TMP can replace isodecanol in producing diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), a critical plasticizer used in special coatings for cables.
TMP is used in emulsifier production. Semi-solid compounds formed by partially esterifying TMP with monobasic fatty acids and then reacting with ethylene oxide exhibit strong emulsifying effects on oil/water emulsions, serving as emulsifiers in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Nonionic surfactants obtained by adding propylene oxide to TMP possess excellent emulsifying and wetting properties. Alkyd resins made from TMP and high-molecular-weight dibasic fatty acids with two double bonds act as water-in-oil emulsifiers, widely applied in textile and dyeing industries.
TMP can be used to produce liquid fuel additives. Reacting TMP with oleic acid followed by polyoxymethylene yields additives. Adding 0.5%-1% of this substance to liquid fuels eliminates the need for vaporization devices to purify exhaust emissions.
TMP is used to produce trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA). TMPTA, obtained by esterifying TMP with acrylic acid, is a widely used acrylate diluent in radiation curing. It features high double-bond content, fast curing, wear resistance, and solvent resistance, primarily serving as a reactive diluent in UV-curable coatings and inks. It acts as a diluent before UV irradiation and participates in crosslinking during irradiation, becoming part of the cured film. TMPTA also applies to manufacturing unsaturated polyester frp, reinforced plastics, special alkyd resins, adhesives, synthetic oils, synthetic fiber auxiliaries, and chemical membrane processing.
TMP is used to produce trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTM). TMPTM, formed by esterifying TMP with methacrylic acid, can be used for shaping PVC latex (e.g., anticorrosive rubber shoes) and crosslinking PVC sheathed wires. It also serves as an anaerobic adhesive, crosslinking agent for rubber (EPDM), and curing agent for inks, as well as for modifying coatings and resins.
TMP is used to produce trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether (TMPTE). TMPTE, synthesized from TMP and epichlorohydrin, acts as a reactive diluent for epoxy resins (epoxy coatings), a modifier for polyesters and melamine resins, a fiber processing agent (anti-wrinkle treatment), and an adhesive modifier.
Additionally, calcium formate, a byproduct in TMP production, is used as an animal feed additive and cement accelerator, with high added value and primarily for export. Polyester polyols, another byproduct, serve as raw materials for aromatic polyester polyols.
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