Shop

Polyol is a term used to describe a class of compounds that contain multiple hydroxyl (OH) groups. These compounds are widely used in the production of polyurethane plastics, foams, coatings, adhesives, and elastomers. Polyols are typically derived from petrochemicals or natural oils and are reacted with diisocyanates, such as toluene diisocyanate (TDI) or methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), to form polyurethane materials.

Some common types of polyols include:

1. Polyether Polyols: These are polyols derived from the polymerization of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide. Polyether polyols are flexible and are often used in the production of flexible foams, such as those used in mattresses and upholstery.
2. Polyester Polyols: These are polyols derived from the polymerization of polyester resins with diols. Polyester polyols are more rigid than polyether polyols and are often used in the production of rigid foams and coatings.
3. Polycarbonate Polyols: These are polyols derived from the reaction of diols with phosgene or diphenyl carbonate. Polycarbonate polyols are used in the production of high-performance polyurethanes with excellent mechanical properties.

Polyols play a critical role in the production of polyurethane materials, as they react with diisocyanates to form urethane linkages, which are the basis of polyurethane chemistry. The properties of the resulting polyurethane materials can be tailored by adjusting the type of polyol used, the molecular weight of the polyol, and the ratio of polyol to diisocyanate.