Polycaprolactone Polyol

Product Information & FAQs

We're a reliable partner with the expertise you need to make smarter business decisions.

Untitled design (5)

CAS# 31831-53-5

Polycaprolactone Polyols: Elevating Polyurethane Performance

Polycaprolactone polyols are a special class of aliphatic polyester polyols, used in the soft block segment of high-performance polyurethane elastomers. The polycaprolactone polyols are produced with very low acid values (significantly improves hydrolytic stability), perfect hydroxyl end-group termination (excellent reactivity and high molecular weight control), narrow MW distributions (low viscosities including in the prepolymer form) and low glass transitions that affect good low temperature flexibility in polyurethane elastomers.

Using our broad range of unique polycaprolactone polyols, formulators can custom tailor polyurethanes to achieve greater levels of performance to enhance the capabilities of existing polyurethanes or enter new applications by displacing other material systems (for example rubber, epoxies, etc.). Our polycaprolactone polyol grades are designed to address multiple parameters that can improve the performance and service life of a broad range of polyurethane components.

Polycaprolactone-based high-performance polyurethanes are used in applications that include cast elastomer parts, coatings, adhesives, seals, foams, laminated packaging, TPUs, leather and textile coatings, Paint Protective Films (PPF), ink binders and dispersions. Caprolactone polyols are particularly beneficial for urethane formations used in corrosion protection and water-immersion applications. End-use industries include automotive, industrial, construction, mining, oil and gas, rollers and wheels, aircraft, healthcare, sporting goods, water treatment, electrical/electronics, textiles, and footwear to name a few.

gc-1

Polycaprolactones Grades

The wide variety of polycaprolactone polyol structures enhances the capabilities of formulators looking to design polyurethane elastomers that meet specific demanding performance attributes and service life.  

Caprolactone polyols are available at Gantrade in molecular weight grades from 310 to 4000, and we offer these polyols as diols, triols, and tetraols. They are created through a facile ring-opening polymerization (ROP) process using an initiator diol or triol and a caprolactone monomer under mild conditions. The ROP process is depicted in the graphic below.  

polycaprolactone polyols are created by a ring-opening polymerization process (ROP)

The initiator selected allows the design of customized features in the polycaprolactone polyols, which are manifested in the performance of the resulting polyurethane elastomers.

While many initiator types are used, the following exemplifies the effects of three diol initiators used.

  • Butanediol: Affords high cut, chip, and tear resistance and high tensile properties.
  • Neopentyl Glycol: Reduced the polyol crystallization, the propensity of the PUR to “cold harden,” and affords better hydrolytic stability.
  • Diethylene Glycol: Contributes some polyether performance characteristics and more liquid diols.

Key Benefits of Polycaprolactone Polyols

The molecular features of the polycaprolactone polyols manifest themselves in polyurethanes characterized by the following property profiles, many of which are best-in-class performance attributes.

  1. Superior Resistance to Hydrolysis: Our polycaprolactone polyols impart exceptional resistance to hydrolysis, ensuring the longevity and stability of polyurethane applications.

  2. Excellent Weatherability and UV Stability: The resulting polyurethanes exhibit outstanding weatherability and UV stability, making them well-suited for applications exposed to challenging environmental conditions.

  3. Good High Temperature Performance and Low Temperature Flexibility: Achieving a balance between high-temperature performance and low-temperature flexibility, our polyols contribute to the versatility of polyurethane elastomers.

  4. Durability, Flex-Fatigue Life, and Elastic Memory: Experience enhanced durability, prolonged flex-fatigue life, and superior elastic memory, characteristics that define the longevity and resilience of polyurethane components.

  5. Compression Set Resistance: Our polycaprolactone polyols offer notable resistance to compression set, maintaining the shape and structure of polyurethane products under pressure.

  6. Enhanced Abrasion and Impact Resistance: Enjoy improved abrasion and impact resistance, ensuring polyurethane components withstand wear and tear in demanding applications.

  7. Chemical Resistance to Oils, Fuels, & Solvents: The chemical resistance of these polyols extends to oils, fuels, and solvents, broadening the range of applications in which polyurethanes can excel.

For nearly 50 years, Gantrade has served as an experienced, respected, world-class supplier of chemicals, including Polycaprolactones. Gantrade strives to meet and exceed its customer’s requirements in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. Gantrade’s product specifications are designed to deliver our polyols, including Polycaprolactones, with high quality and consistency in all applications.

gc-1

Polycaprolactone Polyol FAQs

EXPLORE OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What makes Polycaprolactone Polyols unique in polyurethanes?

Polycaprolactone polyols are a special class of aliphatic polyester polyols, used in the soft block segment of high-performance polyurethane elastomers. The polycaprolactone polyols are produced with very low acid values (significantly improves hydrolytic stability), perfect hydroxyl end-group termination (excellent reactivity and high molecular weight control), narrow MW distributions (low viscosities including in the prepolymer form) and low glass transitions that affect good low temperature flexibility in polyurethane elastomers.

What are the different grades of polycaprolactone polyols?

The caprolactone polyols are available in molecular weight grades from 310 to 4000, and are offered as diols, triols an tetraols. They are created by a Ring-Opening Polymerization (ROP) process under mild conditions using a “initiator” diol or triol and caprolactone monomer.  The process is depicted below.

polycaprolactone-structure-faq


The initiator selected allows the design of customized features in the polycaprolactone polyols which are manifested in the performance of the resulting polyurethane elastomers.

What effects can be achieved through the selection of the initiator?

While many initiator types are use, the following exemplifies the effects of three diol initiators used.

  • Butanediol: Affords high cut, chip and tear resistance, high tensile properties
  • Neopentyl Glycol: Reduced the polyol crystallization, the propensity of the PUR to “cold harden” and affords better hydrolytic stability
  • Diethylene Glycol: Contributes some polyether performance characteristics and more liquid diols


Gantrade experts can assist in the selection of the appropriate polycaprolactone polyol for your specific application.

What are some of the key attributes of polyurethanes based on polycaprolactone diols?

The molecular features of the polycaprolactone polyols manifest themselves in polyurethanes characterized by the following property profiles, many of which are best-in-class performance attributes.

  • Superior resistance to hydrolysis
  • Excellent weatherability and UV stability
  • Good high temperature performance and low temperature flexibility
  • Durability, flex-fatigue life and elastic memory
  • Compression set resistance
  • Enhanced abrasion and impact resistance
  • Chemical resistance to oils, fuels, & solvents
Can you name a few additional features that differentiate your polycaprolactone products offerings?

Our product line of Placcel® Polycaprolactone offers the following differentiated grades.

  • Placcel N series of narrow MW distribution diols
  • Placcel T series of very low acid value polyols
  • Placcel T and E series of highly hydrolytic resistance polyols
  • Placcel L series of liquid higher MW polyols
  • Placcel K eco-friendly series which do not contain tin

Contact Gantrade for more information on
Polycaprolactones today!

  • Navigate Changing Markets
  • Maintain Steady Supply
  • Access Industry Intelligence

THE AMERICAS

210 Summit Ave,
Suite B5
Montvale, NJ 07645

UNITED KINGDOM

2nd Floor, Mallard Court
Market Square,
Staines-Upon-Thames
TW18 4RF, UK

EUROPE, BV

Blokhuisstraat 47J
B-2800
Mechelen, Belgium

ASIA

1008 Dalian Asia Pacific Finance Center
55 Renmin Rd.
Dalian, 116001
PRC