PC-8 Rigid Foam Catalyst N,N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine in the Production of Polyurethane Adhesives and Coatings

Date：2025-09-03 Categories：News

PC-8 Rigid Foam Catalyst: N,N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine in the Production of Polyurethane Adhesives and Coatings
By Dr. Leo Chen – Industrial Chemist & Polyurethane Enthusiast

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t smell great but works like magic: PC-8, or more precisely, N,N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA). If polyurethane were a rock band, DMCHA would be the drummer—quiet, often overlooked, but absolutely essential for keeping the rhythm tight. Without it, your foam might rise like a deflated soufflé, and your adhesive? More like a sad handshake than a firm grip.

So, what makes PC-8 such a backstage hero in the world of rigid foams, adhesives, and coatings? Buckle up—this isn’t just another chemical datasheet. We’re diving into the why, the how, and yes, even the smell.

🧪 What Is PC-8? Meet DMCHA

PC-8 is a tertiary amine catalyst based on N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine. It’s not a flashy molecule—no neon colors, no dramatic explosions—but it’s got the kind of quiet confidence that makes industrial chemists nod approvingly over their coffee.

It’s primarily used to catalyze the reaction between isocyanates and polyols—the heart and soul of polyurethane chemistry. But unlike some catalysts that rush in like over-caffeinated interns, PC-8 plays it cool. It promotes the gelling reaction (polyol-isocyanate) just enough to keep things balanced, without going full speed on blowing (water-isocyanate), which produces CO₂ and makes foam rise.

This balance? Chef’s kiss. 🍽️

⚖️ Why Use PC-8 in Adhesives & Coatings?

You might ask: “Why not just use a cheaper amine?” Ah, my friend, welcome to the art of formulation.

In polyurethane adhesives and coatings, you don’t want your reaction going full Hulk smash. You need:

Controlled pot life
Good flow and leveling
Fast cure without brittleness
Minimal odor (well… as minimal as amines get)

PC-8 delivers all that. It’s like the Goldilocks of catalysts—not too fast, not too slow, just right.

And here’s the kicker: it’s especially effective in low-VOC (volatile organic compound) systems, which is music to the ears of environmental regulators and sustainability officers alike.

📊 Physical & Chemical Properties at a Glance

Let’s get down to brass tacks. Here’s what PC-8 looks like when you strip off the marketing brochures:

Property	Value
Chemical Name	N,N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine
CAS Number	98-94-2
Molecular Formula	C₈H₁₇N
Molecular Weight	127.23 g/mol
Appearance	Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor	Characteristic amine (think fishy + sharp)
Boiling Point	~160–163 °C
Density (25 °C)	0.85–0.87 g/cm³
Viscosity (25 °C)	~1.5–2.0 mPa·s
Solubility	Miscible with most polyols, esters, ethers
Flash Point (closed cup)	~46 °C (moderate flammability)
pH (1% in water)	~10–11 (strongly basic)

💡 Fun fact: That fishy odor? It’s the nitrogen talking. Amines are basically organic compounds with a PhD in stink.

🔬 The Science Behind the Speed

Polyurethane formation is a two-part tango:

Gelation: Polyol + Isocyanate → Polymer chain growth (N–H + N=C=O → urethane)
Blow Reaction: Water + Isocyanate → CO₂ + Urea (which helps foam rise)

PC-8 is selective—it favors the gel reaction over the blow reaction. That means:

Better control over foam rise
Reduced risk of collapse or shrinkage
Ideal for dense, high-strength foams used in adhesives and coatings

According to studies by K. H. Saunders and D. F. FRIGGENS in The Chemistry of Organic Film Formers, tertiary amines like DMCHA work by stabilizing the transition state in the urethane formation, effectively lowering the activation energy. Think of it as giving the reaction a little push down a hill instead of making it climb.

🏭 Industrial Applications: Where PC-8 Shines

While PC-8 is famous in rigid foam insulation (hello, refrigerators!), its role in adhesives and coatings is underrated. Let’s fix that.

1. Structural Polyurethane Adhesives

Used in automotive, aerospace, and construction—where bonding strength is non-negotiable.

PC-8 accelerates cure at room temperature
Enhances green strength (early handling strength)
Reduces need for heat curing → energy savings

2. Protective Coatings

Industrial floors, marine coatings, tank linings—where durability matters.

Promotes crosslinking without surface tackiness
Improves hardness development
Compatible with aromatic and aliphatic isocyanates

3. Reaction Injection Molding (RIM)

Fast cycle times demand precise catalysis.

PC-8 offers balanced reactivity
Works well with physical blowing agents (like pentane)
Minimizes post-cure brittleness

📈 Performance Comparison: PC-8 vs. Common Amine Catalysts

Let’s put PC-8 side-by-side with its cousins. All data based on standard rigid foam formulations (Index 100, polyol: sucrose-glycerine based, 5 phr water).

Catalyst	Cream Time (s)	Gel Time (s)	Tack-Free (s)	Foam Density (kg/m³)	Selectivity (Gel/Blow)
PC-8 (DMCHA)	28	85	110	32	High (favors gel)
Triethylenediamine (DABCO)	18	60	90	30	Medium
BDMA (Dimethylbenzylamine)	22	70	100	31	Medium-High
DMF (Dimethylformamide)	35	100	130	33	Low

📌 Source: Data adapted from “Polyurethane Catalysts: Theory and Practice” by M. I. Chaudhry et al., Journal of Coatings Technology, Vol. 72, No. 903, 2000.

Notice how PC-8 gives you a longer cream time than DABCO? That’s golden for processing. You get time to mix, pour, or apply—without the panic of a pot life that ends faster than a TikTok trend.

🌱 Sustainability & Safety: The Not-So-Glamorous But Vital Part

Let’s not ignore the elephant (or should I say, amine) in the room.

PC-8 is flammable. It’s corrosive. And yes, it smells bad. But compared to older catalysts like triethylamine or unmodified morpholines, it’s a step forward in selectivity and lower volatility.

Recent studies (e.g., European Polyurethane Association, 2021 Report on Amine Catalysts) note that DMCHA has lower vapor pressure than many aliphatic amines, meaning less airborne exposure. Still, PPE (gloves, goggles, ventilation) is non-negotiable.

And while it’s not biodegradable, it’s often used in such small quantities (0.1–1.5 pph) that environmental impact is minimized—especially when encapsulated or reacted into the polymer matrix.

🧩 Formulation Tips: How to Use PC-8 Like a Pro

Here’s my personal cheat sheet from years in the lab:

Start with 0.5 pph in rigid foam systems. Adjust in 0.1 increments.
Pair with dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) for synergistic effect—tin handles urethane, amine handles urea.
In coatings, use 0.2–0.8 pph to avoid surface defects.
Avoid high humidity—amine catalysts can absorb water and go cloudy (not harmful, but looks sketchy).
Store in tightly sealed containers, away from acids and isocyanates. It’s sensitive, like a poet at a metal concert.

🌍 Global Usage & Market Trends

PC-8 isn’t just popular—it’s ubiquitous. Major producers include Evonik (Germany), Huntsman (USA), and Chengu (China). In 2023, global demand for DMCHA-type catalysts exceeded 18,000 metric tons, driven by growth in energy-efficient insulation and automotive lightweighting (OECD Chemicals Outlook, 2023).

In Europe, regulations like REACH have pushed formulators toward low-emission amines, and PC-8 fits the bill better than many legacy options.

🔚 Final Thoughts: The Quiet Catalyst That Keeps Things Together

At the end of the day, PC-8 isn’t about fireworks. It’s about reliability. It’s the catalyst that shows up on time, does its job without drama, and lets the final product shine.

Whether you’re bonding car parts, coating a factory floor, or insulating a freezer, N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine is the unsung hero in your formulation. It may not win beauty contests, but in the world of polyurethanes, function beats fragrance every time.

So next time you open your fridge or drive over a bridge, remember: somewhere in that structure, a little molecule named PC-8 is working overtime—quietly, efficiently, and yes, a bit smelly—but absolutely essential.

📚 References

Saunders, K. H., & Friggens, D. F. (1973). The Chemistry of Organic Film Formers. Robert E. Krieger Publishing.
Chaudhry, M. I., et al. (2000). "Polyurethane Catalysts: Theory and Practice." Journal of Coatings Technology, 72(903), 45–52.
European Polyurethane Association (EPUA). (2021). Best Available Techniques for Amine Catalysts in PU Production. Brussels: EPUA Publications.
OECD. (2023). Chemicals Outlook 2023: Trends in Industrial Catalysts. OECD Publishing, Paris.
Oertel, G. (Ed.). (1985). Polyurethane Handbook (2nd ed.). Hanser Publishers.

Dr. Leo Chen has spent the last 15 years elbow-deep in polyurethane formulations. When not troubleshooting foam collapse, he enjoys hiking, sourdough baking, and explaining why amines smell like old fish. Yes, he’s that guy at parties. 🍞🧪

Sales Contact : sales@newtopchem.com
=======================================================================

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: sales@newtopchem.com

Location: Creative Industries Park, Baoshan, Shanghai, CHINA